Today, we engaged in an archeological dig under the guidance of Dr. Conolley and his knowledgable assistant, Rim. Dr. Conolley had previously given all of the students a presentation about the work he conducts on Spanish Hill, what sort of objects he finds, and what groups, such as POHS, have assisted him with his important work. The location of the site was long ago inhabited by the Taino people. We were first taught how to properly dig with a trowel within the 100cm STP shovel test bit marked by Dr. Conolley and Rim. While we were digging, we were able to admire the stunning environment around us including the bulls, cows, geese, and greenery. One of the most important methods we learned while digging was how to record our findings once we were done with each layer. It was important to write down the percentage of rocks in the layer, drawings of large rocks remaining in the dirt, as well as drawing special artifacts.
Conducting these archaeological digs are crucial to drawing connections between the artifacts found, and previously discovered documents. This experience impacted students as we appreciated the laborious work that Dr. Conolley and Rim put into the digs in work to preserve history. These findings (including shells, pot handles, pottery, lithic, etc.) can be used to educate both tourists and Jamaican citizens alike in the past. We hope that soon, POHS students can work alongside Falmouth students while participating in this activity. This will not only create a bond between students, but will also help preserve the Taino history for this island nation.
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