46 Nebraskaland • October 2019
this region most artifacts lie from
just under the surface to 30 feet
deep," laments Bozell. "Less than
one percent of what's out there is
above ground." The eyes of a dozen
relentless anthropology students
better the odds, though. The sea
of grass reveals nothing, but ever-
present gopher mounds expose
the sand, as do cutbanks and
cattle trails. Any exposed artifact
was likely long buried and then
unearthed by animals, people, or
erosion.
Ceaselessly scanning the ground,
the students trudge over rolling
terrain. Conversations are difficult
in search lines 20 meters apart, and
earbuds are not allowed. Strong
winds bring relief from loathed
deerflies, but the trade-off is blown
sand irritating eyes, ears and noses.
This daily grind catches many
students off guard. A few would
rather not be here, but they will
not graduate as an anthropology
major without a field school under
their belt. "Those of us who are
really obsessed with archaeology
don't mind putting in the energy to
make these discoveries," said UNL
junior Reagan Duranski of Lincoln.
"I sing songs in my head all day
and daydream of what I'll do when
I get back home. I imagine taking
the longest shower ever and eating
whatever I want."
Most students here are city-
raised and new to outdoor
experiences, but becoming an
archaeologist means learning to
work all day under the sky – what
to pack, what to wear, which
snakes pose threats, what direction
thunderstorms are moving, and
orienteering without a cell phone.
Pitching a tent was a first for most,
or as in the case of one young
Plains Apaches once lived on this site along the Middle Loup River near Mullen, Nebraska. Carefully excavated artifacts
lend knowledge to their way of life during the 1600s.
