Upcoming FBAS events and dig times:
Come Volunteer! In addition to weekly digs being scheduled, here are other opportunities to participate in Texas archeology. Check here often for updates to dates and times.
October 26 and 27, 2007
On October 26 and 27, Texian Market Days will be held at the George Ranch Historical Park from 9am to 5pm each day. The FBAS will be opening a pit for students on Friday and families on Saturday. Please sign up at the meeting – or contact Bob or Joe or Claire to let us know you can help!November 10, 2007 The City of Sugar Land has invited the Fort Bend Archeological Society to participate in the grand opening celebration for the City of Sugar Land’s Memorial Park on November 10, from 1:00-6:99 p.m. If you are interested in coordinating this event activity and/or helping to staff the booth, please contact Bob Crosser at 281-341-5251 OR Claire Rogers at 281-342-6478.
November 3, 2007 On November 3rd, the Fort Bend Archeological Society will be hosting a Boy Scout dig in conjunction with the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Joe Bonham will be leading this effort; please contact him if you are interested in helping: 281-342-3000.
November 24 - 25, 2006 Work may be scheduled at San Felipe on Nov. 24 and 25th. If you're interested in digging, please contact Marianne at 979-478-7300 to learn what the current plans are.
Father of Texas Birthday Celebration at the San Felipe de Austin Site
The Father of Texas Birthday Celebrations are on Friday and Saturday, November 3 and 4, 2006. We have thundering hordes of school children again on November 3rd. HAS hosts the children's mock dig and the real archeological excavations are open to the public. Volunteers are needed for both the children's dig and the actual excavations. Beth Aucoin needs volunteers for the exhibits and mock dig. Marianne needs volunteers for the sign in table and excavations.
As always, bring your lunch and plenty of drinking water. Marianne recommends you wear long pants, sturdy shoes, and a light colored shirt. You may also want to bring a lawnchair and something to put on the ground for you to sit or kneel on. Bring your dig kits (if you have one). Sunscreen and bug spray is also recommended. You might also want to bring your own pair of gloves.
Excavation - November 18, 2006 Boy Scouts from various local area troops will excavate alongside FBAS while earning credits toward their archeological merit badge. To attend as a scout for your archeology badge, contact the Houston Museum of Natural Science to register for the event. To volunteer on the excavation call 281-342-1256.
November 17 - 18, 2006 There will be no work at San Felipe during the week of Nov. 6 - 12. Marianne will be working at the site again on November 17th and 18th of the following week.
Please contact Marianne at 979-478-7300 if you would like to participate Nov. 17 - 18.
Children’s Day - April 1, 2006, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Fort Bend Museum Come explore the history of the historic John P. Moore Home through archeology during the Fort Bend Museum's open house. FBAS will conduct a real archeological excavation on the grounds of the historic home. New discoveries - none of the artifacts had been purposely placed in the ground for the children to find. The society believes in the importance of learning about archeology by involving children in real excavations. Providing these experiences for children is important to FBAS in its effort to promote an awareness of archeology and a better appreciation of Texas history. Afterwards, join in the fun of all of the other activities during the museum's daylong celebration. If you enjoyed the dig, keep an eye out for the next big archeological dig for children during the Texian Market Days held at the George Ranch Park this fall.
Excavation - April 22, 2006, Boy Scouts from various local area troops will excavate alongside FBAS while earning credits toward their archeological merit badge. The excavation is closed to additional scouts, but you are invited to help with the excavation. To volunteer on the excavation call 281-342-1256. To attend as a scout for your archeology badge, contact the Houston Museum of Natural Science to register for the event.
Excavations are scheduled for Thursday Jan. 5th, Friday Jan. 6th, and Saturday Jan. 7th, 9:00 am until 4:00-4:30pm.
Shovel testing will continue on the Brenner Property. To get there, turn left onto the Park Road leading to the Stephen F. Austin Recreational Park. Then turn left into the second driveway, (just past the first house on the left). You will cross a cattle guard and drive into a pasture with large rolls of hay and two barns. Park near the other vehicles.
Please contact Marianne at 979-478-7300 if you would like to participate.
Excavations are scheduled for Monday through Saturday, December 26 through December 31, 9:00 am till 4-4:30 pm, weather permitting. Let Marianne Marek know which days you will be participating by calling her at 979-478-7300.
Fieldwork will continue on the Brenner Property. To get there, turn left onto the Park Road leading to the Stephen F. Austin Recreational Park. Then turn left into the second driveway, (just past the first house on the left). You will cross a cattle guard and drive into a pasture with large rolls of hay and two barns. Park near the other vehicles and DO NOT run over Marianne's stakes in the road.
Please contact Marianne if you would like to participate with the shovel tests on the Brenner property. As always bring your lunch and plenty of drinking water. Dress warmly in layers.
Excavations - If you are interested in digging before the holidays, Marianne needs help on Wednesday December 21st, Thursday December 22nd and Friday, December 23rd, 9:00 am until about 4-4:30 pm.
Marianne is conducting Shovel Testing on the Brenner Property. To get there, turn left onto the Park Road leading to the Stephen F. Austin Recreational Park. Then turn left into the second driveway, (just past the first house on the left). You will cross a cattle guard and drive into a pasture with large rolls of hay and two barns. Park near the other vehicles and DO NOT run over Marianne's stakes in the road.
Please contact Marianne if you would like to participate with the shovel tests on the Brenner property. As always bring your lunch and plenty of drinking water. Dress warmly in layers.
Excavating - Marianne needs one or two people to help her complete the unit on Lot 50 on either Thursday, December 1 and/or Friday, December 2. She also needs to disassemble all of the equipment and move it across the street to the new property. Please contact her if you can help on either of these days.
Shovel Testing - Starting Saturday December 3, we should be starting shovel testing on the Bryant property located across the street and adjacent to the historic park. Shovel testing is different from excavation units, and involves digging a hole with a shovel in 20cm levels and screening the dirt for artifacts.
Please contact Marianne if you would like to participate with shovel tests on the Bryant property on Saturday, December 3 or Sunday December 4 from 8:30 am until 4:00pm.
The Father of Texas Celebration was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who helped. A special thanks goes to Beth Aucoin, Pat Aucoin and Don Keyes who braved the thundering hordes of 4th graders in the mock dig on Friday. The kids had a great time.
Excavations are scheduled for November 18, 19, and 20 from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm. Please let Marianne Marek know which days you will be participating by calling 979-478-7300.
Marianne must have at least two volunteers to be able to work on these days so please let her know if you plan to participate. There are two units to complete on the Wilson Property and then we will be moving across the street to work on the new piece of property behind the Josey Store.
Father of Texas Birthday Celebration There is no fieldwork this week (October 24th - October 30th) because I will be attending the Texas Archeological Society meetings in Austin.
The next fieldwork is scheduled for November 4th and 5th - which is during the Father of Texas Birthday celebration. This is a large open house/public event so I need volunteers for excavation and to greet the public at the gate. Those interested in helping with the children's dig need to contact Beth Aucoin. We start setting up at 8am, public events start at 9am. My volunteers may park inside the pasture.
This is our Texas Archeology Awareness month event and very important for educating the public about archeology and the significance of San Felipe de Austin. Please let me know ASAP if and how you can help.
Thanks, Marianne
Excavations begin again at San Felipe this week on October 21 and 22 from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. Please let Marianne Marek know which days you will be participating by calling 979-478-7300.
Excavations will take place on the Wilson property, until after the Father of Texas Birthday Celebration. The Father of Texas event will be held on November 4th and 5th from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. Marianne needs volunteers for excavations and volunteers to staff the greeting table. Beth Aucoin also needs volunteers to assist with the Children's Dig. Call Marianne if you can help.
Lab Work Laboratory artifact washing days are being scheduled for Saturday, September 10th and Sunday September 11th from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm, at the Tyree House in Richmond, as usual. The lab will be at the Fort Bend Archeological Society laboratory in Richmond. Contact Marianne if you would like to participate. The laboratory facility is located next to the Fort Bend Museum at 600 Houston Street in Richmond TX.
Lab Work The next lab day will be Sunday August 28 at the Fort Bend Archeological Society laboratory in Richmond. Lab will run from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm. Contact Marianne if you would like to participate. The laboratory facility is located next to the Fort Bend Museum at 600 Houston Street in Richmond TX.
Lab Work There are a LOT of artifacts to wash before we start excavations again in September. Lab day will either be Saturday, August 6th OR Sunday, August 7th at the Fort Bend Archeological Society laboratory in Richmond. Lab times will be 11:00 am till 5:00 pm. Contact Marianne if you would like to participate. The laboratory facility is located next to the Fort Bend Museum at 600 Houston Street in Richmond TX.
Lab Work If you are interested in working with artifacts from San Felipe, there will be an artifact washing day on Sunday, July 31st. We will be working from 11 am till 5 pm at the Fort Bend Archeological Society laboratory in Richmond. Contact Marianne if you would like to participate. The laboratory facility is located next to the Fort Bend Museum at 600 Houston Street in Richmond TX.
Excavation will be completed next week with only two and a half squares to go. The schedule for this week is June 28, June 29, June 30, July 1 and July 2, 8:00 until 3:30. Please let Marianne Marek know which days you will be participating by calling 979-478-7300.
Lab is tentatively scheduled for July 3 from 11:00 am till 5:00 pm. If you are interested in helping, plan to meet at the laboratory facility next to the Fort Bend Museum at 600 Houston Street, Richmond TX.
The Excavation schedule for this week is June 21, June 22, June 23, June 24 and June 25, 8:00 until 3:30. Please let Marianne Marek know which days you will be participating by calling 979-478-7300. Lab is on June 26th from 11:00 am till 5:00 pm. If you are interested in helping, plan to meet at the laboratory facility next to the Fort Bend Museum at 600 Houston Street, Richmond TX.
The Excavation schedule for this week is June 14, June 15, June 16, June 17 and June 18, 8:30 until 4:30. Please let Marianne Marek know which days you will be participating by calling 979-478-7300. There is no lab day this week.
The Excavation schedule for this week is June 7, June 8, June 9, June 10 and June 11, 8:00 until 4:30. Please let Marianne Marek know which days you will be participating by calling 979-478-7300. There is no lab day this week.
Excavations will be closing down for the summer at the end of June. If you are interested in digging, come dig while you can. Also, there are lots of artifacts to wash, your help in the lab would really be appreciated. The field schedule is May 31, June 1, June 2, June 3 and June 4. The new work times are 8:00am until 4:00pm. Please let Marianne Marek know which days you will be participating by calling 979-478-7300. Lab is on June 5th from 11:00 am till 5:00 pm. If you are interested in helping, plan to meet at the laboratory facility next to the Fort Bend Museum at 600 Houston Street, Richmond TX.
Fieldwork - May 24, May 25, May 26, May 27, and May 28, 2005. Work is from 8:30 until 4:30. Please let Marianne Marek know which days you will be participating by calling 979-478-7300. Lab is on May 29th if there are enough volunteers to help. Lab time will be 11:00 am till 5:00 pm. If you are interested in helping, plan to meet at the laboratory facility next to the Fort Bend Museum at 600 Houston Street, Richmond TX. Please RSVP, because lab will be cancelled if she has no volunteers to help.
Fieldwork continues on May 18, May 19, May 20, and May 21, 2005. The work day is from 8:30 until 4:30. Please let Marianne Marek know which days you will be participating by calling 979-478-7300. Lab is on May 22nd, 11:00 am till 5:00 pm. Please RSVP, because lab will be cancelled if she has no volunteers to help.
The Excavation schedule this week is May 10th, May 11th, May 12th, May 13th and May 14th. Lots of cool things are being discovered. Work time is 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If you are interested in lab work, Lab Day will be on Sunday May 15th from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm. Please RSVP for labwork. Lab may be cancelled if Marianne doesn't get any help. Marianne Marek can be contacted at 979-478-7300, call to let her know which days you can help.
Marianne says the dewberries are ripe and sweet and the archeology is getting exciting. Excavation continues on May 4, May 5, May 6, May 7 and May 8, 2005. Please note the new work times are 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek at 979-478-7300 to let her know which days you can help.
Excavation continues on April 26, April 27, April 28, April 30, and May 1, 2005. The current site is located on a lot originally owned by Alexander Calvitt. Please note the new work times are 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek at 979-478-7300 to let her know which days you can help.
On April 20, the day will be spent clearing out a new site so that excavations can continue on April 21, April 22 and April 23, 2005 (no Sunday excavation). Excavations on Lot 564 (owned by Martin Varner) are almost complete. The new site is located on a lot originally owned by Alexander Calvitt. Please note the new work times are 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek at 979-478-7300 to let her know which days you can help.
Excavation - April 13, April 14, April 15, April 16 and April 17, 2005, Excavations are now being conducted on the Martin Varner's lot in the woods next to the river. Work days are 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek at 979-478-7300 before going to the site to let her know which days you can help.
Excavation - April 6, April 7, April 8, April 9 and April 10, 2005, Excavations are being conducted in a new location at the San Felipe de Austin site. Work is now being done on the Martin Varner's lot in the woods next to the river. Work time is 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to let her know which days you can help before heading out to the site and she'll tell you how to find the new location. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
Excavation - March 31, April 1, April 2 and April 3, 2005, Excavation work has moved to a new location at the San Felipe de Austin site. Work is now being done on the Martin Varner's lot in the woods next to the river. Work time is 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to let her know which days you can help before heading out to the site and she'll tell you how to find the new location. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
Excavation - March 18, 19 and 20, 2005, FIELD WORK is scheduled at the San Felipe de Austin site for Tuesday through Sunday. Work will be held each day from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to let her know which days you can help before heading out to the site. Calling ahead will help her plan for the week. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
Excavation - March 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, 2005, FIELD WORK is scheduled at the San Felipe de Austin site for Tuesday through Sunday. Work will be held each day from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to verify the dig schedule before heading out to the site. Calling ahead will help her plan for the week. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
Excavation - March 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2005, FIELD WORK is scheduled at the San Felipe de Austin site for Wednesday through Sunday. Work will be held each day from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to verify the dig schedule before heading out to the site. Calling ahead will help her plan for the week. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
Excavation - February 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27, 2005, FIELD WORK is scheduled at the San Felipe de Austin site for Wednesday through Sunday. Work will be held each day from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to verify the dig schedule before heading out to the site. Calling ahead will help her plan for the week. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
Excavation - February 17, 18, 19 and 20, 2005, FIELD WORK is scheduled at the San Felipe de Austin site for Thursday through Sunday. Work will be held each day from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to verify the dig schedule before heading out to the site. Calling ahead will help her plan for the week. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
Excavation - February 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, 2005, FIELD WORK is scheduled at the San Felipe de Austin site for Wednesday through Sunday. Work will be held each day from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to verify the dig schedule before heading out to the site. Calling ahead will help her plan for the week. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
Excavation - February 3, 4, 5, and 6, 2005, FIELD WORK is scheduled at the San Felipe de Austin site for Thursday through Sunday. Work will be held each day from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to verify the dig schedule before heading out to the site. Calling ahead will help her plan for the week. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
Excavation - January 26, 27, 28, and 29, 2005, FIELD WORK is scheduled at the San Felipe de Austin site for Tuesday through Saturday. Work will be held each day from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to verify the dig schedule before heading out to the site. Calling ahead will help her plan for the week. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
Excavation - January 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16, 2005, FIELD WORK is scheduled at the San Felipe de Austin site for Tuesday through Sunday. Work will be held each day from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to verify the dig schedule before heading out to the site. Calling ahead will help her plan for the week. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
Excavation - January 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, 2005, FIELD WORK is scheduled at the San Felipe de Austin site for Tuesday through Sunday. Work will be held each day from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to verify the dig schedule before heading out to the site. Calling ahead will help her plan for the week. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
Excavation - December 27, 28, 29 and 30, 2004, FIELD WORK is scheduled at the San Felipe de Austin site for Tuesday through Thursday. Marianne says there are about 5 more levels before they hit the bottom of the cistern. Work will be held each day from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Marianne Marek to verify the dig schedule before heading out to the site. Calling ahead will help her plan for the week. Marianne Marek can be reached at 979-478-7300.
To learn more about the Jones Prairie Home visit the George Ranch page.
On Friday, October 31, the excavations will be visited by dozens of school children. Archeologist, Marianne Marek needs volunteers to assist with site preparations and excavations on Thursday, October 30th.
On October 31 and November 1, she will also need lots of volunteers to serve as crew chiefs, tour guides, excavators and help with general crowd control.
Please RSVP by contacting the Fort Bend Museum Association at 281-342-1256.
Please RSVP by contacting the Fort Bend Museum Association at 281-342-1256 if you would like to volunteer.
Please RSVP by contacting the Fort Bend Museum Association at 281-342-1256.
Please RSVP by contacting the Fort Bend Museum Association at 281-342-1256.
Oct 4, 2003 Open House - Children's Dig (left) and Magnetometer Survey (right).
Please RSVP by contacting the Fort Bend Museum Association at 281-342-1256.
Test excavations to begin at the San Felipe de Austin archeological site. Work will be held on the Wilson Property across FM 1458 from the Historical Park. Test excavations will also be held on the GB Cottons lot (supposedly the site of the Telegraph and Texas Register office) and several other potential features in the area.
Please RSVP by contacting the Fort Bend Museum Association at 281-342-1256.