The campaign goals, as determined in the Terms of Reference appended to the initial contract (Helvetas / SLFA, March 1999) included:

1. Carry out excavations to evaluate the structures found at the construction site for their historical/ cultural significance.

2. Search the area for any additional historical sites.

3. Advise the RC-Jakar/ Special Commission on:

To reach the first goal, the following approaches were adapted to each of the three locations to investigate.

1. Horizontal excavations to gain a better understanding of the extension of the structures.

2. Vertical observations to get information about the integration of the structures in the sedimentary deposits, and to determine the eventual relationship between the structures.

3. Sampling all artifactual or anthropic evidences that could indicate the time setting and the functionality of the structures (archaeological and datable materials).

Since we had at least three locations to investigate, and since most of the Bhutanese crewmembers had no archaeological experience at all, we chose to start the fieldwork on the presumably simplest structure. The square stone layer B3 seemed suitable in this context. At a much later stage, as half of structure B3 was cleared, we had to accomplish much finer work at this spot and we instructed the Bhutanese crew to begin with clearing the stone wall remains B2. During the last stage, we worked simultaneously on the three locations B1, B2 and B3, with special focus on the underground structure B1 and on the wall B2. At the end of the campaign, we focused on particular documentation work, and thus needed fewer excavators. On last Sunday, S. Dorji and R. Blumer finished the documentation work.

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Copyright 2000 by Blumer R. and Vial F. 
Copyright 1999 by SLFA Zürich, Switzerland.
For problems or questions regarding this web contact rblumer@vtx.ch.
Last updated: 29-05-2001.