Gone to Publishing Department

Dr. Holly Jones and I have sent the content of the web site to the publishing department. Volunteers and a student intern,Beth Bullock, helped photograph and analyze artifacts for each of the pages. Bob Neumann at the Greene County Archives helped find appropriate documents from early probate files. A photograph of one of the early European settlers was also found at the archives. The pages, or "rooms" the museum have text, photographs of archaeological work during summer field schools, landscape photos of the area, historic maps, historic maps, and artifacts with descriptions relating to the subject of the page.

We are very pleased with the design work by Veronica Adinegara, from the MSU publishing department. We expect her to complete the layout this week, after which it will go to Web Services to be put on line.

Analyzing Flat Glass

Cammie, a CAR volunteer and anthropology student at MSU, is analyzing the flat glass from Bell Tavern. The thickness of the glass can be used to determine the age of the glass.

Meanwhile, we are nearly done with the text and photos for the prehistoric page and have begun work on three others. The publications department is doing the lay out template for the pages. We are anxiously awaiting Veronica's concept.

Delaware Bridge Cairn

Diagram in The Missouri Archaeologist article by Richard A. Marshall, Vol 18 No. 4.

Prehistoric Page

While the design of the web site is being done by the Publications Department at Missouri State University we are beginning to work on the content of the "museum rooms". Beth Bullock, an intern this semester, is researching the prehistoric elements of the Delaware Town area. She has been looking at artifacts in CAR's collection and using research materials in our library. The Prehistory of Missouri by O'Brien and Wood is an excellent resource. She is also working with an article in a 1956 volume of The Missouri Archaeologist about the Delaware Bridge Cairn Site. As Beth goes through the artifacts she will be selecting items to include in the Prehistoric Occupation page.

Doug Seneker Analyzes Ammunition

Doug Seneker, a member of the Ozarks Chapter of the Missouri Archaeological Society, came to CAR yesterday to analyze the ammunition related artifacts found in the Delaware Town area. We are interested in identifying Civil War era lead bullets, lead balls, and metal artifacts that may be parts of weapons. Dr. Jones and Dr. Lopinot are interested in identifying the location Sigel crossed the James River when he retreated south from the Battle of Wilson's Creek. Confederate troops ambushed Sigel and his men after they crossed the river in the Delaware Town area. The location of Civil War era ammunition will help pinpoint this action.

The lead balls were weighed in grams and then converted to grains. By measuring the diameter he determined the caliber. He also looks at details such as rings or grooves, rifling, and damage. One of the first conical bullets he looked at was a 52calliber Sharps Ringtail. Another interesting piece was a brass 12mm Pinfire, one of the earliest metal cartridge designs. Mr. Seneker said it was made in France and was probably used by an officer.

Planning the Web Site

The last few weeks have involved a number of discussions about the appearance and design of the web site "Where the Wilson Meets the James." The site will have pages for different archeaological sites associated with different cultural groups, occupations, or events. In addition, we want thumbnails of associated artifacts and documents to enlarge with additional information. It took a while for me to understand how a web page is designed to change and connect. Once I understood I began looking at different web sites for ideas. I found the Nelson- Atkins Art Museum site very appealing ( http://www.nelson-atkins.org/welcome/FAQ.cfm) . With that in mind I have started the process of design with the Publications Department at Missouri State University.

Last Week of Field School

The last week of the 2007 Field School was spent at the Delaware Town area. Identifying the location of the ambush upon Sigel's troops as they retreated from the Battle of Wilson's Creek was the primary investigation goal. Metal detecting and shovel tests were conducted over a large area to locate artifacts that would identify the area of the ambush. This will also provide information that will help locate the old roads in the area. The data has yet to be analyzed. We are looking forward to Dr. Jones interpretation of the research.