Vince, Tav, and Jake
Down on numbers this weekend due to a variety of reasons – no matter always plenty of stuff to do. Arrived early today to get on with the excavation in the SE ‘alcove’ to clear around and expose any faunal remains so they can be recorded and recovered. After the recent heavy, persistent rain underground conditions were not ideal for fiddly excavation with small wood tools. Still, it is unlikely to improve through the autumn months. Slowly worked away carefully removing sediment and filling bags. Some smaller elements were recovered (including mandible fragment with dentition, phalanges, Ursus arctos). Tav and Jake arrived and cleared the small accumulation of spoil before Tav continued to work on the north side of the current dig site (BTOT). When about 20 bags had been amassed, Jake and Tav decided to get them out to the surface (but not emptied) while I carried on with excavation. As time approached midday digging was curtailed, and the last few bags were removed from the cave. Today 35 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied. Underground Jake has created another pile of rocks to be removed at another time when there is a bigger team.
Digging done, time to take some refreshment at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn as usual.