The Dirt Project

Tom Shankapotomous
Jan 1
2 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Purpose Statement

The Dirt Project documents the physical surface materials present at each expedition and training location. It focuses on soil, sediment, and exposed rock as they are encountered in place—underfoot, along trails, shorelines, and natural cut banks. The project treats dirt not as debris or abstraction, but as a record of geological process, environmental conditions, and time. What is observed is not the idealized composition of a soil type, but the material reality of a specific place.

Research Method

The Dirt Project follows a preparatory, observational approach. Prior to each expedition, background reading is used to understand the region’s general geology, soil types, and dominant landforms.
When available, local nature centers, museums, and geological references are consulted to establish regional context.
Field observations are conducted at ground level and are limited to visible and easily accessible materials such as loose sediment, exposed rock, and naturally disturbed surfaces.
Basic tools are used for visual inspection and documentation only.
Collected samples are photographed in the field and later examined using a digital microscope to capture surface texture, grain size, and mineral structure at close range.
These images are then referenced against a rock and soil identification app to generate a preliminary assessment of composition, which is treated as an interpretive aid rather than a definitive classification.