Living and working in Turkey for four weeks was an incredible experience where I learned to trust others and trust myself. I have always been a person who has to feel in control and know what is happening, but this month in Turkey forced me to relinquish most of that control and trust in others. Living in a Middle Eastern country where you don’t speak Turkish and most of the people don’t speak English, you learn to trust the few people that do. I described my experience in Turkey as “one giant trust fall” to my friend. Every time I boarded the buses to go somewhere, I rarely knew exactly where we were going, how long it would take, and if we would be able to communicate with the driver. However, we always arrived safely to our destination, were able to experience Turkish culture, and discover new means of communication with other people. Living in Turkey for a month also encouraged me to trust myself. After my initial travel plans were delayed by a week, I had to travel to Turkey alone. I had never flown alone before, and I had never traveled internationally, so I had to trust what others told me, as well as my ability to be a functioning human, while completing a 22-hour travel day. Once I arrived in Turkey, I had to trust in my social skills in order to integrate myself with the rest of my peers and colleagues, as well as interact with the Turkish students and workers. I also learned to trust my training, as well as my instinct, when working at the dig site. As the days progressed, I stopped feeling the need to double check every find with others, and instead trust my training in identification and make the decision I believed to be correct. Overall, I feel that these weeks in Turkey have provided me with personal growth that was necessary before I graduate college and enter the world on my own.
During my three weeks in Turkey, I have learned many things. Academically, I have learned the basic technical skills that one needs to become an archaeologist. I also learned some of the history of Antiochia ad Cragum. Beyond academics, I have learned that rocks at the public swimming locations in Turkey must have a vendetta against American visitors based on the number of injuries our group sustained over the four weeks. I would say my most memorable experience at the dig site was my first day. My unit was able to start excavating that day, and I remember how excited we all were when we found our first bone fragments and glass shards. We wanted to learn everything that we possibly could about identifying pottery from dirt and rocks and how to distinguish between bone fragments and sticks. I think that this project has changed my perspective on a “first witness” to historical material. After experiencing the different styles and matters in which historical material was treated at the different parts of Antiochia ad Cragum, I realize the importance of treating everything with the utmost care and respect. I also understand the importance of providing as much information as possible about what you find. I would also say that I personally had a difficult time truly understanding that we were uncovering historical material that hasn’t been seen in hundreds and thousands of years. For my unit, excavating lots of pottery, bone fragments, glass shards, and more became so constant that I almost forgot to remember how incredible those moments of discovery were. General advice I offer to future participants is to go with the flow. I know that sounds cliche, but it’s true. Plans are often made on the spur of the moment or passed by word of mouth, so don’t be afraid to join people or ask to tag along. I would also advise to do as much and see as much as you can during your free time. Time flies quickly, and there is so much to see and experience. Also, attend the field trips, because they are incredible experiences. I can write packing advice at another time, because I have a lot to say. If given the opportunity, I would participate in another archaeological excavation! Since I arrived a week later than planned, I missed out on the clearing out and cleaning up of our part of the site. Although it was everyone’s least favorite part excavating, I wish I had been able to participate to get the full experience. I also really enjoyed theorizing about what had happened in the past based on the artifacts we uncovered, and I would love to be able to experience that at another archaeological excavation.