The unceasing question of “what does one do with a history major” often lacks a satisfactory answer to the fiscally minded individual. If I had a dollar for every time someone stated, “ at least my biology degree will be ensure that I have a job when I graduate,” I could probably earn my history degree for free. The opportunity to participate in this excavation has shed some light for me about the possible trajectory of my career path. I have learned so much about what it means to be an archeologist, and it’s only been 2 weeks! My answer to the enquiring employer about what I have learned from this experience is, first and foremost, that archeology is an exercise in problem solving and cooperation. Throughout the day at the site one is constantly asking questions regarding how each new discovery fits into the larger narrative of the building/area that is being excavated. Every stone, pottery sherd, and fragment of glass somehow fits into the story and it is the job of the archeologist to construct this mosaic of interlocking shards. At the moment, I aspire to enter the world of historical/archeological academia. This ability to constantly relate every finding to the bigger picture is absolutely applicable to becoming a better thinker, and even writer. Maintaining and updating the story at both a site specific and larger excavation minded level, has been perhaps the most important and difficult skill that I have begun to learn and cultivate on this trip.
Learning to work in a team in the most efficient way possible has been another thing that this trip has taught me. Whether it’s moving a mini-fridge sized rock or determining whether or not the existence of large sherds of ceramics are indicative of the building being used as storage or the sherds were used to level the floor. Cooperation on both a physical and mental level is required to ensure that the collective end goal is met in a timely and well-documented method. The teamwork that is present in this archeological dig differs from conventional exercises in collaboration because it strongly emphasizes speculative discourse. Sometimes there is a strong focus on reaching agreement in a team, but in archeology there is the opportunity for two rival opinions to exist in a manner that doesn’t interfere with the cohesiveness of the team. Not only does this exist but it is almost encouraged, as the more opinions that are present the lively and informative the debate can be. F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote that, “the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function,” it is this sort of mentality that I believe archeology strives to impart upon its practitioners. And this is an ideal that I am elated to continue endeavoring towards.
John Turco