El Rayo 2009

Road construction at the tip of the Asese peninsula revealed remains of a prehispanic cemetery, designated El Rayo.  Excavations at the site consisted of three loci, including the cemetery, a residential area, and another ceremonial burial zone.  The field team again consisted of a mix of Canadian, Nicaraguan, and Costa Rican archaeologists and students, and also included a group of students from El Salvador.  The team stayed at the Casa del Alto hotel in Granada, while the staff stayed at Casa Tranquila (where the lab was also located). 

GM lost in a banana field at El Rayo

 

Sharisse holding complete vessels from Locus 1

 

 

Carrie with machete

 

Brett at Locus 2

 

GM and SM with Salablanca family at Mi Museo reception

 

Silvia at Locus 2

 

Sacha with periform vase from Locus 3

 

Joseph at Locus 1

 

Ana on screen

 

Ariana and Armando with Lago Modelled vessel

 

Armando, Christa, Pamela, and Silvia washing pottery

 

Bosco cleaning turtle shell

 

Sacha checking notes in Casa Tranquila pool

 

Christa excavating multiple urns at Locus 1

 

Katherine and Douglas in the shade

 

Entrance to Salablanca property, and Locus 2

 

Escarleth and Jorge washing pottery

 

Fernando excavating burial urn with small vessel at Locus 1

 

Celebrating Keller at the Gran Francia

 

GM lecturing at Mi Museo

 

James in the field

 

Jamie beginning level at Locus 2

 

Johana and Nora in lab

 

Jorge with Pataky Polychrome vase

 

Katherine and Lorelei in doorway of Casa de Alto, with Carrie on guard

 

Kirrie excavating at Locus 1

 

Lunchtime at Salablanca house

 

Rice, beans, and bananas -- mmmm

 

Marcela and Rocio on screen

 

Bosco and Maria Lily excavating urns at Locus 1

 

Mario and Katherine on the road

 

Sacha in the maw of the Feathered Serpent

 

 

Mariano and Pedro at Locus 2

 

Vies of Mombacho Volcano from Casa Tranquila

 

Sharisse with small Lago Applique vessel

 

 

Nicole taking notes at Locus 2

 

Oscar on motorcycle

 

Pamela with plumb bob

 

Peder and GM at lecture in Mi Museo

 

Pineapple lamp

 

Sacha and Christa find yet another burial urn at Locus 1

 

Staff meeting at pool in Casa Tranquila

 

Sarah W excavating human maxila at Locus 3

 

Little Silvia excavating human remains in roadcut at Locus 1

 

Sharisse and Oscar excavating Pataky vase

 

It had to be done

 

Truckin' to work

 

Joseph as water boy

 

Volleyball in the pool at Casa Tranquila

 

Washing artifacts at the end of the day

 

William and Lorelei washing sherds

 

With Don Mariano at Salablanca house

 

Maria Lily receiving carved bone pendant from Yesenia

 

Farewell dinner at Best Western, Managua

 

Nicole and Brett with their Golden Crocodile awards

 

Sacha and Sarah with Golden Crocodile

 

In Lake Nicaragua