The day started with a guided tour by NPS Ranger Laurel on the Cinnamon Bay Loop Hiking Trail. Ranger Laurel took the students back in time as she showed trees that were around during the Taino Indian's time on St. John. She shared with students the Taino uses of the different trees as shelter, medicine, building materials, or food.

Click photograph for more pictures of the student's hike on the Cinnamon Bay Loop Hiking Trail.

While at the Dig Site, Ranger Laurel shared posters the students had developed about the Taino people and culture during an earlier visit she made to our school to Ken Wild. Ken spoke with the students about the Taino culture, archeology, and new developments at the dig site.

Click photograph for more pictures of Ken's discussion with the students.

Students broke-down into 4 smaller groups and worked with NPS Rangers and volunteers to brush the dig site, escavate a new part of the site, sort for small materials using water and fine screens, and sort and identify larger items using larger screens and labelled samples.

        Click picture to enlarge.                               Click picture for more with Ken.

           Click picture to enlarge.                            Click picture for more sorting.

Kayla Joseph, a 4th grade student, found the hand of a zemi while brushing in the dig site. The school group was very excited to leave behind a piece of our day's work for others to enjoy and learn from.

Kayla brushing at the dig site before she found her zemi.

After lunch the group went for a swim further down the beach. The waves were high - perfect for body surfing and wave-hopping! A great way to end an exciting day!

    Click photograph for more lunch pictures.                              Click photograph for more swimming pictures.

If you'd like to find out more about the educational opportunities at the Cinnamon Archeological Dig Site, click below.