While working at the digestie in Antiochia, there has been much about myself that I’ve now realized in regards to my physical and mental limits/abilities that I had not thought about earlier. Working at the digsite has proven to be quite the endeavor, having to work in the hot Turkish sun with high humidity tends to take its toll on the body. Though as the days go by as long as there isn’t a shift to hotter or more humid weather the workload seems to be getting easier as I get used to it. Mentally it is interesting how now while working I have to consider the importance of nearly each rock or stone moved, not wishing to break anything of interest. This has helped me in a way to become more observant with the work I do, with a desire to properly excavate the site and keep it in the best condition possible.
In regards to archaeology itself, I now have a greater appreciation for the hard labor and precision that goes into this field of study. When we had first arrived at the ruined nobles house it was for the most part buried and covered in debris and plants, taking a week of effort to properly prepare the site for further work. Once this was completed what I had originally envisioned archaeology as could then commence. My group in ACNS5 is working towards reaching the foundation level of the house, while also planning towards documenting the different soil layers present as we dig downwards. While the work has been quite exhausting being able to see our work slowly take form has been a great way to end a hard work day. All of this has helped shape my overall view of the field and expand it further, now realizing there is more to archaeology than simply brushing away at a mosaic. With hard work having to be done in order to even reach the desired mosaic or floor of a nobles house.
From the lectures given to us by Professor Hoff and what we have found include excavations, much has been revealed about how the people at Antiochia had lived so many years ago, yet with still much more to be uncovered. We see with many Roman towns there would generally be a large bath house or even two present to serve the needs of the people. Around this building multiple stores and houses would be built, forming the center of the community. Where at first arriving at the site it first seemed like a few ruined structures with little connection towards one another it is now much more obvious of the connections they have towards each other.
Overall, through hard work and lots of sweat we have managed to uncover much of the nobles house, and as the next week goes by I hope much more will be revealed.