7 Troweling the subsoil

Students troweling a large excavated area at Occaneechi Town. (Photograph courtesy of Research Laboratories of Archaeology. More about the photograph)

Removing the plow zone exposes a lighter colored earth below called subsoil. At Occaneechi Town the subsoil consists of a tan-colored, stiff clay. The surface of this layer is meticulously scraped, or shaved, with sharpened trowels in order to remove all the loose soil and roots. Troweling reveals the undisturbed archaeological remnants of Occaneechi Town.

This video shows students troweling the subsoil surface.

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Learn more

• Excavating Occaneechi Town The original version published by the UNC Research Laboratories of Archaeology includes historical background, interactive activities, and additional information about Occaneechi Town.

Related topics

• Search LEARN NC for more resources on American Indian towns, American Indians, North Carolina, Occaneechi, archaeology, excavations, and troweling.

Excavating Occaneechi Town

The original version published by the UNC Research Laboratories of Archaeology includes historical background, interactive activities, and additional information about Occaneechi Town.