That "cover more ground" thing is so true. It's like using a wider paint roller, you just get the job done faster with less mess.

Wait, you were digging by arbitrary depth before? That's wild! I can't believe your whole team almost walked away from a Mississippian piece over a method choice. Changing to 10cm levels seems so basic, but it makes all the difference. That shard at 35cm is proof you just never know what's hiding.

Had a similar thing happen with treated lumber. Supplier sent a batch that felt dry but the moisture content was way off. Warped every fence panel we built that week. Now we use a pin meter on every delivery, no exceptions.

Honestly, the whole "disaster" thing is a bit much. It's a piece of leather, not a car engine. You figured out a workaround and it closed, so mission accomplished. People get way too attached to materials being perfect on the first try. The real win is learning you can fix a mistake without starting over. That's way more valuable than the leather.

What happened next, @fiona_scott44?