Earthcrack: A Lin Hanna Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page A

ruins but could not remove anything that they might actually
locate.   They could only photograph
any finds and take notes to report to park headquarters.   This type of fieldwork was strictly for
their learning.   Actual excavations
required a lengthy permitting process and had to be supervised by park service
archaeologists.   Nevertheless, this
morning represented a first opportunity for Lin to be introduced to the world
of archeology that had always fascinated her.   She grabbed her water, hat, and radio
that enabled contact with the visitor center, if needed, and moved to join the
group at the bus.
    The students settled in for the ride out
to Lomaki.   This was the last ruin
accessible from the park road and was near the north entrance to the road that
looped from Hwy. 89 through both Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments.    The bus pulled out of the visitor
center lot and began the slow climb through the hills that marked one of the
higher points in the park.   There
was a trail that climbed there; Lin intended to try it on one of her evening
hikes soon.   There were so many
places to explore, part of the attraction of the park volunteer program.   She was only assigned to work about 30
hours per week and she had use of the small apartment.   That had been one of the major reasons
she applied here as a volunteer.   Some parks could only provide a camp site and Lin did not have a trailer
or RV.   Living in a tent for several
months was not high on her list so she had looked for parks that offered
housing.
      Wupatki was especially appealing because
of her interests.   Besides, it was
in northern Arizona near Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.   There was a lot to do in her off hours
both in the park and nearby.   She
and Ben had visited this area with the kids, but that was a long time ago.   The drive from her home in North
Carolina was a long one but she had taken her time and enjoyed visiting some
sites along the way.   Now she was
looking forward to spring and summer and all the adventures they might hold.
    Lost in thought, Lin was slightly
startled when Dr. Smith sat down in the seat beside her.    Smiling shyly he said, “I hope I
did not offend you earlier.   I’m
looking forward to having you along for this trip and will be happy to answer
any questions you have.   I
understand you are an educator and that you have a strong interest in the
history of this area.”
    Lin felt a bit bad about her earlier
reaction.   Apparently he had noticed
it too. “Not at all,” she replied, “I am interested and I want to learn as much
as I can.   Thank you for letting me
share with your class.”
    “Well, we are looking for evidence of
artifacts which might still be undiscovered.   Many items have been removed from the
park in years past.   In fact, the
collection at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff has a lot of them.   It is a great collection; you should
make a point of visiting there while you are here,” he hesitated as if he
wanted to say he would take her there, but he did not.
      “ Nowadays finds are certainly more
difficult but there are still unexplored areas, especially since the park here
is over thirty-five thousand acres, and there are always places that may have
been missed before.   When ruins are
found, the park archeologists generally excavate the site but then cover it
after they have documented the find.   It seems the best way to preserve the past is to leave it where it is,”
Smith explained. “Not everyone agrees with that but the parks have very strict
rules about such things.”
    “I understand,” Lin replied, “it‘s look,
photograph, but leave things as they are.”  
    “Yes,” Smith responded, “but it does give
the students the opportunity to explore and to learn what signs to look
for.   Sometimes we have actually
found some good evidence of ruins and artifacts.”
    “Are you looking for anything in
particular today?” Lin