"We've been fairly successful at getting some response, but not always" Stubbs says.

The administration in general has been supportive to the water main excavation, Stubbs says. Officials informed archaeologists of the excavation months in advance. Harvard provided founding for the dig. And the bid sheet for contractors included provisions that the construction would be monitored archaeologically.

If workers come across a sensitive area like a foundation or a single trash pit, Stubbs can ask them to stop so he can excavate the areas more carefully.

The huge construction equipment makes a large area instantly accessible to Stubbs.

"it's a tremendous opportunity to see what is here," he says.

But the giant scoops of the construction equipment make small detail work difficult, Stabs says. He misses many of the smaller artifacts that could otherwise be sifted form the dirt.

The sheer number of people wow talk through the yard make this site different form others Stubbs has excavated. Digging in the yard Stubbs say "is like working in a fishbowl."

In addition to digging in West Germany, Louisiana and northeastern Mississippi, he participated in Yard excavations in the summer between 1984 and 1947, when archaeologist looked for--and found--the first college building.

"At that time, it was clear that Harvard Yard had a lot of archaeological potential," he says.

Stubbs, who did his dissertation on artifacts from Harvard Yard, lived in Matthews Hall as a first Year student, and was a proctor in the yard and union dorms for eight years. His many years in the Yard, he says, give him a unique perspective on Harvard's history.

WHILE THE YARD covers a wealth of artifacts. Williams warns that archeological excavations often raise more questions than answers. For example he says, it is easy--and appealing--to conclude that the hundred of wine bottles Stubbs has found were all used by students in a party of colossal proportion, it is impossible to tell weather the deposit is the result of one great Commencement bash" or a pile that grew over years.

Laboratory analysis will help provide answers to some of the questions, William's says. Back in the lab, Stubbs will date and inventory the artifacts and reconstruct some of the vessels.

At lot of this material, Stubbs says, is worthy of an exhibition. Already, the Harvard Union has a second--floor display of some Harvard artifacts. Stubbs' new finds would complement that collection, he says, or may wind up in a Peabody Museum gallery.

Stubbs would also like to write a book, he says, documenting the archeological history of Harvard yard. With the exception of two digs, Stubbs has been present at every Yard excavation.

But for the coming weeks, as construction workers refill this trench and dig another deep hole from Matthews to University Hall, Stubbs will be working outside. he will be sifting through dirt, collection odd fragments of galls and clay and, perhaps, imagining the last great Yard party.