All posts by rizorl

Mapping

Snapshots

My role down in South Texas is mapping expert.   This means that I am responsible for constructing to-scale maps of Area 3, Area 1, and tying in Areas 2 South and 2 West to the original 2014 map of Area 2.  Before coming to Texas, I met with the former mapping expert, Erica, to go over the best ways to collect data and construct the maps.  She gave me many great pointers that I have found very helpful while down in Texas. One of the most important tips she gave me was to make clear to all teams that measurements should originate from the baseline and not the gridlines.  I have found this piece of advice particularly helpful because it makes clear where the measurements originate from even when I am not familiar with the particular excavation area.

Team member measuring the depth of a trench.
Justing taking depth measurements

Before this trip, I was told that we would be excavating Area 3 and that I would be constructing the maps for this area. However, because this area was finished in three days, both UIndy and Texas State moved to new areas within the cemetery.  UIndy revisted Area 1 to re-check the quadrants now that it’s better understood that there are no patterns to how and where these burials were placed.  Texas State moved to two new areas, Area 2 West and Area 2 South, to investigate land marked with Unknown Remains burial markers.  These additional areas mean that I have gone from constructing maps of one area to constructing maps of three different areas.

There are a number of challenges that I have faced when constructing my maps.  Because so much dirt is being moved in Area 1, the pile is growing too large and is covering the baseline I am supposed to be taking measurements from.  Because of this, I have to use different points of reference and quadrant boundaries to map in the burials and trenches.  Despite taking measurements from different points of reference, in the final map, I need to convert these measurements to as if they are coming from the baseline itself in order to standardize my data.  Math is not my strong suit, so doing the calculations and converting the numbers is challenging for me.  Thankfully, the other members of my team are there for moral support and mathematical help.

Team member taking measurements.
Jessica taking measurements for the map

Another challenge I have faced while mapping is that I am only present for the collection of measurements from the areas being excavated by UIndy.  Because I am familiar with the orientation of the burials, determine what points to take, and am present during the collection of all data, it is easy to recognize mistakes and construct accurate maps.  Because we are so busy and are working in different areas of the cemetery, I do not have the chance to see all of the areas that Texas State is excavating, the orientation of their burials, or the way in which they are collecting their data points.  This has proven very difficult for me, as I do not have a mental image to match the measurements to which makes it difficult to recognize mistakes.  Thankfully, I have started to catch on to the methods they are using and am better able to quickly check for and correct mistakes.

Despite these challenges, I am so glad that I am able to fill the role of mapping expert for this field season in South Texas.  I believe that I am emerging a stronger mapper, which will continue to help me during forensic cases when mapping a scene is necessary.  The problem solving and mistake-catching associated with mapping, although frustrating at times, is teaching me how to think critically about what I am doing and how to look at data and recognize discrepancies right off the bat.  I am so grateful for this opportunity and am excited to finish the final products!

Leann

Four students in front of trees holding up five fingers.

Day 10: Honor the History

Human Rights, Migrant Death

Today was a bittersweet day, as it marked not only our last day in the field but also our last full day in Texas.  Our job today was to finish Area 1, which meant digging trenches and probing through the remaining three quadrants.  Thankfully, we set ourselves up for a productive day yesterday, identifying where the remaining trenches would go and strategizing the most effective ways to accomplish our goals.  This morning, we hit the ground running.  We divided, conquered, and somehow finished everything by lunch time.  We owe a big thanks to three Texas State students who assisted us in both digging and refilling the trenches. Although we didn’t move as much dirt as we did yesterday, we worked really hard and maintained focus despite the soreness that has slowly accumulated throughout the trip.

Team members filling in a trench with shovels
Texas State and UIndy filling in a trench
Team members around a bucket of dirt.
The last bucket!

After we ate lunch, we went to the area where Texas State was working to see if they needed any help.  They were still in the process of exploring some areas of their section, so they gladly accepted our assistance.  While our duties consisted largely of moving dirt, we also helped extend and clean up the excavation area, while Justin assisted in probing the floor and walls of their pit.  Once they felt confident that no other burials were present, we started the long process of refilling.

Team members working in a trench.
UIndy and Texas State

The highlight of my day today was a really great conversation with Sister Pam.  We talked about everything.  We started talking about what each of us have learned throughout this process, and ended with what we wish we knew more about.  This conversation really got me thinking about everything going on down in South Texas and how with new experiences comes new knowledge and new ways of thinking.  Sister Pam said something that I think really hits the mark when it comes to the crisis at the border: “honor the history.”  Each party involved in this crisis believes that they are doing the right thing, whether it be border patrol, land owners, county officials, the forensics teams, etc. The forensic teams believe they are doing the right thing by exhuming these individuals to begin their process of identification.  However, there are individuals that do not agree with what we are doing.  Despite differences in opinion, neither side is wrong – we must acknowledge and accept different viewpoints, and honor the history of each party’s stance on the issue.  I think that this is important to remember, as it is easy to get caught up in one side of the issue and fail to recognize differing opinions and viewpoints.  I would like to say thank you to Sister Pam for reminding me of this and leaving me with advice that will inform not only how I view this humanitarian crisis, but also how I view the world around me.

Leann

Eight people sitting a standing on a mound of dirt holding up four fingers.

Day 4: Why We’re Here

Community, Human Rights, Migrant Death

Today was a really hard day, both physically and mentally.  It seems like each step forward had their associated two steps back.  Whether it be digging, searching, or mapping, nothing went as we expected.  The phrase “expect the unexpected” definitely rang true today, and we had to really work as a team to adapt to the challenges and changing situations we encountered.  In addition to these mental challenges, today was also physically challenging.  Yesterday consisted of hours upon hours of digging.  As one could expect, getting out of bed this morning was not a piece of cake.  In addition, another 10 hours of shoveling and hauling buckets today proved extremely difficult and physically taxing.

As the morning went on, exhaustion began to set in.  We were taking measurements in the western part of the cemetery when a large car approached.  As this cemetery is still frequented by family members visiting their loved ones, we thought nothing of it. However, they came to a stop right where we were working.  The door opened and a small dog hopped out, followed by two women carrying plastic shopping bags.  These bags were full of bread, lunch meat, cheese, oranges, donuts, and bottled water.  The women repeatedly thanked us for the work we were doing, and said that the work being done was nothing short of extraordinary.  We graciously thanked the women and they went on their way.

Team member dumping a bucket of dirt.
Erica helping refill the excavation area

Later in the afternoon, we moved back to the eastern part of the cemetery and continued to work in the area we begun the days prior.  After we were about halfway through refilling the excavated areas, the same women approached us once more.  This time, they told us that they would love to make us a hot meal and bring it to the cemetery for us to eat.  They said it was the least they could do, again expressing their gratitude for the work being conducted.  Witnessing the pure emotions of these women was truly a humbling and emotional experience for me.

Today reminded me that despite being sore and experiencing setbacks and challenges in the field, the work we are conducting is making a huge impact in the community.  The fact that these women would give up their time, money, and energy to bring lunches and make a hot meal for over 30 volunteers is nothing short of amazing.  This aspect of today really brought things back into perspective for me.  It’s easy to get frustrated when things don’t go as planned, but at the end of the day, the work being conducted here in Falfurrias is truly an amazing humanitarian effort in response to a crisis whose effects are felt community-wide.   Despite all of the challenges and trials faced in the field today, this one small act of kindness reminded me why we are here.

–Leann