2nd installment or Playing for work!

Couple weekends ago I took a class called Art and Science of Flintknapping. Ie learn how tools were made by prehistoric people before European contact. I and a new co-worker both took the class along w/two of our seasonal workers (a married couple). Another seasonal/specialist that works for us was there as well. Anyway-Angela (the new co-worker) took pics of the actual flintknapping and some awesome scenic pics.... The class took place called Desert Studies Center, Zzyzx Springs

That would be me trying to figure out where I should hit next.... I did create some halfway decent things....called 'bifaces'..... Angela did much better.

Anyway pic of what I produced--all are obsidian cept the white one of course-that one is chert.


the the 2nd photo is my 'best' biface....

This is the coolest pic that Angela took...


And one of mine-like the textural elements of this picture...



And right after this weekend (which btw was super exhausting.... wacking at stones takes a lot out of you....) we had someone that our seasonals knew to show us how pottery was tradionally made here in the desert. He's figuring some of these things out by trial and error based on the ceramic sherds prehistorics have left behind. Once again Angela took a bunch of pics so I can share here....

Yes I was attempting to work on a pot..... (the scruffy dude is one of the seasonals--and despite the scruffiness-a top notch man-he and his wife-all of us enjoyed the time they worked w/us and can't wait for them to return)

And here is how you really are supposed to do it.... That is the actual potter--Tony Soares who does sell his wares at Joshua Tree....


And here was the absolute favor.... Angela bought it for her parents wedding anniversery. Those swirls of colors is due to the firing in a pit--un even temps causes whats called fire clouding.

My job can be very entertaining.... And next weekend it will be off to Modesto for the Annual CA archaeology conference.... Sleep in.... wander in and out of talks.... eat some good food.... and of course hanging out w/archaeologists at the bars.... They always gravitate towards the bar....