University of Notre Dame anthropology student Charlotte Cardarella, on left, and participant Mark Smith carefully dig out an excavation site during the annual Collier Lodge site archaeological dig on on Monday. In this, the 20th anniversary year of the first public Collier Lodge archaeological dig on the banks of the Kankakee River in Kouts, the finds are still being unearthed.
Participants Tacy Borgman, on left, and Gwen Rentz filter dirt through a screen to find small artifacts during the annual Collier Lodge site archaeological dig on on Monday, June 10, 2024. Participants measure, observe, take notes, and excavate during the annual Collier Lodge site archaeological dig on on Monday.
“It’s more exciting than a beer can,” said St. John resident Dan Durochik, referring to conical-topped vintage beer cans that have been found in years past.