Everything is over, I am the last straggler at the dig house. The excavation ended on Thursday, it was a hell of a day. Supposedly there is some magic that never ceases to occur on these final days, and I prove it true. I had a profound archaeologist moment when I realized I was standing on a previously undiscovered cistern dating from the second century AD. Then minutes later some human remains are uncovered on feet away… This is the type of thing you cannot make up. Since then things have really dulled down, to regular Turkish life. At least for me that is. Trips to the beach, confusing interactions with merchants, and lots and lots of chai and ice cream. Each time someone from Gazipasia realizes you are an archaeologist at Antiochia it’s a great feeling. Recently the local newspaper has been writing stories covering the progress of the dig with a few pictures illustrating our success. Later tonight I start my journey home.
I took just about everything I could from the dig in my mind. Over the month I learned to excavate scientifically in a number of different areas, make watertight logical arguments to explain what was going on, and had a great experience working as a team in a sometimes trying environment. I would not lie to a prospective student and say that working here is easy. Getting up at 5am and swinging a pick and hauling rocks for 6-7 hours is serious business. But I will say it was worth it, at least for me, and I think the rest of the crew. If it’s any indication of sentiments I know there a more than a handful of people jockeying to come back as a TA. If I get passed up even then I might come back as a undergraduate doing research, or as an advance student. That is if I can scrap together the cash again. Once again this project isn’t easy on your back or your wallet. You get your money’s worth however, including the possibility of hitching a ride up the to basecamp on the back of a motorcycle screaming up the hill, driven by Rami the village elder and security guard. I know there are some scholarships available especially for first time excavators as well. And really I have not heard of another study abroad program where you are so integrated into a group of students from another country. I personally got many invitations to visit the homes of some of the Turkish students, which I hope to follow up on. My plane is leaving soon for Istanbul, so until next time, Cousin Jack Out
P.S. try to get one of the students to show you the cribs episode