First Steps

Once 1982 turned to 1983, theoretical considerations became practical needs. Up to that time, all of my field collecting as a geologist had been done with a hammer and a chisel, which I would use to break fossils out of the rocks in road cuts and quarries. Now, however, I would be dealing with bones and other objects buried in soft soil. This type of work calls for completely different techniques. The tool of choice would be the mason’s trowel, a kite-shaped blade attached to a handle. Mike Gramly and Jack Holland explained to me the techniques for using this