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Mc Cluer North Archeological Dig Ends for the Year At St. Ferdinand Shrine
(June 2, 2011)
Text and photos by Jane Banaszek
McCluer North High School senior honor students just finished their work on an archeological/educational dig on St. Ferdinand Shrine grounds. The site has served as a hands-on educational experience for students for the last three years.
The seniors work and study the dig once each semester, in the fall and spring. They dig three days a week, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday about one hour a day. They dig six weeks in the fall starting in September and October and again six weeks in the spring during April and May.
Bill Bray, president and board chairman of Friends of Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, Inc., suggested digging on Shrine property to McCluer North High School administration. “The archeological dig is only open to senior honor students at McCluer North High School for an educational experience,” said Bray.
Bray said that prior to exploring the hidden artifacts and foundations of a convent and school on Shrine grounds, students participated in mock digs where objects were placed, covered over, and “found.” This dig gives the honor students a much more realistic exposure to how a “real” dig would operate.
Students were uncovering the two buildings, a convent and school, which burned in the 1960s and were subsequently covered over.
Artifacts from the dig may be found at St. Ferdinand Shrine on the second story of the Rectory and in the lobby at McCluer North.
