My first volunteer dig in Colorado taught me a hard lesson about screens

I spent three days last month helping out at a prehistoric site near Durango and brought my own sifting screen from home. The mesh was way too big at half inch gaps and I must have missed a dozen small flakes and beads that the team leader spotted. She pulled out a screen with 1/8 inch mesh and showed me how much material we were leaving behind. I felt pretty dumb standing there but I learned more in that hour than reading any guide. Now I'm building my own fine mesh screen with some scrap wood and hardware cloth from the local store. Has anyone else started out making basic mistakes like this and found a simple fix that changed how you work? I would love to hear what gear you wish you had from the start.

2 comments

2 Comments

umac711mo ago

I used half-inch mesh too before a buddy showed me the difference with 1/8 inch and I'll never go back.

margaret2341mo ago

@umac71 I tried the 1/8 inch mesh and now my sieve is prettier than my dinner.