Field Trip: Gault Archaeological Site in Texas

Visiting the Gault Archaeological Site

One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling was being able to take learning beyond the classroom. Instead of simply reading about archaeology in books, we had the opportunity to visit one of the most important archaeological sites in North America.

The Gault Archaeological Site, located near Florence, Texas, has yielded evidence of human occupation dating back more than 16,000 years. Archaeologists have uncovered thousands of stone tools, Clovis points, and artifacts that continue to reshape our understanding of the earliest people who lived in the Americas.

Seeing an active excavation in person gave us an entirely new appreciation for the patience, skill, and scientific methods involved in archaeology.

Why the Gault Site Is Important

The Gault Archaeological Site is recognized as one of the most significant prehistoric sites in North America. For decades, archaeologists have carefully excavated the area, uncovering evidence of ancient campsites, stone tool workshops, and artifacts left behind by some of the continent's earliest inhabitants.

Unlike treasure hunting, modern archaeology is about carefully documenting where every artifact is found. Even the smallest stone flakes help researchers understand how people lived, traveled, hunted, and made tools thousands of years ago.

We took a field trip today to the Gaunt site, where excavations are ongoing. This area has a long history of pay-for-digging, where the former land owners would allow people to pay up to $20 a spot to dig all day-- and keeping what they find. Fortunately, these "miners" didn't dig too deep and the real TREASURES were found under their mess, along with a ton of empty beer cans. Not to mention many valuable artifacts found in their piles of discarded rubble. Drinking and digging in hot Texas can only endure for so long.

Fortunately for archeology, the property changed hands and the new owners recognized the scientific importance of the site. For the last 10 years, a major excavation has been undertaken under the supervision of archaeologist, Clark -- who happened to be our tour guide today. He was awesome.

What a wealth of information!

For anyone living in the area and interested, this site has garnered national attention for some of its finds. Not only is this excavation unearthing Clovis artifacts, but also human, animal, and some unusual stones.

Volunteers are welcome and trained. Clark gave me his business card and I'm keeping this in mind.

We had a long discussion about his career choice and I mentioned that I used to dream (as a young girl) of going to Harvard and being an archaeologist. He chuckled and said Harvard archaeologists who visited their site were some of the worst.

I had to stop and think for a moment. WHY did I want to go to Harvard? As a young girl, I dreamed of becoming an archaeologist after reading about Howard Carter's discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb. That fascination with ancient history has never completely left me.

Speaking of King Tut...

Well, that's another story.

I'll explain it in the next blog post...

Black walnut in abundance... Oh how I missed these trees in Missouri! And Hickory nuts!

Everything gets carried to the screens, washed and water blasted.

I don't know what's worse... falling on a cactus, or this menacing thorned flower...

The screening area.

One of the excavation sites.

Thundercloud

This old shack used to be part of a train...

Archaeologists visiting from England. Notice anything different about them? Upon arriving in Texas, they all bought cowboy hats!

The domed tents cover excavation sites...

Who can resist stopping at an old mom and pop's grocery store for an ice cold soda pop?

This is what it's all about!

Walking through an active excavation was far different than visiting a museum. Instead of seeing artifacts behind glass, we watched history being uncovered one careful layer at a time. It gave me an entirely new respect for the work archaeologists do to preserve our shared past.