I have been asked to post the following query.  Answers not of
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Thank you,
 
James Harcourt
 
We are presently looking at a series of privies on a rural school site
dating from 1870 through 1920.
 
Other than treating it as a traditional feature and in compliance with
OSHA regulations, has anyone developed innovative or specialized
methods to excavate a privy?
 
Assuming that the collected material is from a community using the
privy for some duration prior to a final filing, what can flotation
and specialized studies contribute to the study of a late historic
school?  Is the data too generalized to go beyond an obvious
reconstruction of diet?
 
Since we are presently working within the limitations of a Phase II
investigation, have sampling procedures been used successfully in the
past to either set research priorities for the privies or to determine
their contents prior to a full excavation?
 
What are the disease dangers involved in such excavations.  Are
inoculations for  diseases necessary or will gloves and a
respirator be sufficient?
 
Thank You in Advance,
 
James