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Archaeology in Moroccan caves
In the spring of 2001 Phil Rye embarked on a month long field trip funded by Oxford Brookes University. This was to undertake an extensive survey in the north of Morocco looking for cave deposits bearing evidence of Neanderthals and Modern Humans. As part of a small team he was required to drive personnel and equipment to remote mountainous sites and help set up the excavation. He was also involved in liasing with Moroccan counterparts and was responsible for site photography, illustration and for the conservation and preservation of any animal bones found. Several sites were excavated and good sequences of human occupation were uncovered. One of the main problems with excavating in the main cave of Ghar Cahal was the supply of light in order to see the area under research. A generator needed to be carried by members of the team to site every day (because of security risks)- no mean feat in itself since the terrain was so steep on the approach to the cave that it was actually more awkward for two to carry rather than one person. In addition the generator and lighting had to be positioned so as to provide as much illumination as possible with the minimum of noise and choking fumes in such a confined space. A huge volume of cave-earth was removed from Ghar Cahal during the first few days using a human chain wielding numerous buckets. Members of the nearby village had been employed to help too and soon an eclectic bunch of excavators formed. Later on in the five week trip a number of expeditions further inland were conducted to investigate the possibility of more caves which might yield material preserved from the Pleistocene. These trips necessitated the use of a 4´4 vehicle since the area was very rural and the tracks for access to many of these sites were very hazardous being both pot-holed and precipitous. A good number of caves were discovered a few of which looked promising but which will have to wait for further investigation in years to come.
Sieving sediment underground, looking for evidence of homind occupation of the caves
Boxgrove
Hominid Project
The site of Boxgrove in West Sussex, UK, became famous in 1993 when the remains of the then oldest hominid in Europe were uncovered there, dated to 500,000 years before present. The Boxgrove quarry was known to be a very fossil and artefact-rich locality for many years, particularly good for its numerous and very high quality hand axes and associated waste flakes still scattered where they had fallen half a million years before. Also of high quality were the pieces of bone with distinct cut-marks on them found in situ with the lithics - evidence of hunting and butchering practices early man pursued. We were involved in the follow-up project designed to excavate more of the quarry in an attempt to discover more remains of the hominid specimen found several years previously. Phil Rye was one of the site supervisors, photographers and the scientific illustrator, helping to ensure that all aspects of the excavation were photographed and drawn where necessary for publication in subsequent monographs. He was also responsible for site logistics and the supervision of up to 70 students at any one time from 1995 to 1996, interpreting the stratigraphy, making decisions on excavation techniques and equipment and personnel needed for each day.
Excavation at Boxgrove.
Makapansgat
Hominid Survey, Swartkrans Valley, South Africa 1998-2001
In 1998 Phil Rye undertook a survey of the Swartkrans Valley, South Africa, known for its important Hominid discoveries since early in the twentieth century. This subsequently led to his employment there as director of excavations for two seasons. He was responsible for all equipment and up to 30 students required for this project on a day to day basis and for excavation strategy in a challenging environment.
A team organised by staff from Liverpool University, UK, conducted field walking and numerous excavations in this valley from 1998 to 2001 learning valuable information about the hominid occupation during the period 400,000 years BP until present.
A typical day started at around six o'clock before dawn when he had to supervise students in their morning duties and help organise the daily rota and sort out any last minute changes to the schedule. At eight o'clock he led the party of excavators on the one mile walk to the site carrying all the equipment needed for the day. Excavations under way he concentrated on mapping and planning the area and specifically the current digging zone. The most common finds were quartzite and quartz debitage flakes and tools that were planned in situ, photographed then catalogued and lifted carefully. There is the need for a constant supply of water and good sun screen protection for everyone at this site and this was of constant concern during all daylight activities. The finds were brought home in the evening about five o'clock and the evening meal was then prepared and eaten around the campfire.
Swan
Hellenic Cruises
Phil Rye was recently employed in his capacity as botanist aboard the cruise ship MV Minerva. This was to escort up to 100 passengers at a time from the ship to various locations within the Aegean, both within Greece and Turkey wherever natural history trips were planned. He gave talks, demonstrated botanical illustration techniques, and held discussions on the natural history of the area but was particularly responsible for identifying all plants discovered during those two weeks. The Cruise ship stopped in such renowned floral sites as Fethiye, in western Turkey, Crete for the Lasithi Plain and Thessaloniki for the mountains nearby. Several hundred kinds of plant were found during the trip including some rare and locally endemic species. Typically he was responsible for helping to organise passengers on to the coaches supplied by the local tour companies, ensuring that he brought the same number home as left the ship! He provided in transit commentary of the surrounding countryside, flora and fauna and answered questions as and when. On arrival at the site he led a party of people to try and discover the local floral specialities and comment on the ecology of the area. Back on board he was at hand to answer more questions and help host functions during the evening.
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