I heard about this internship during my first year at St. Olaf. Unfortunately, ongoing current events paused any travel plans for the foreseeable future. Now, I’m entering my senior year. It was well worth the wait.
I approached this archaeological dig as my introduction to fieldwork. While I viewed archaeology as a viable career path, I did not know if I would like it. Theoretically, I could hack it. I thoroughly enjoyed Tim’s Archaeological Theory and Ethics course, but it was time to put my classroom education into practice. (Now, at the end of the internship, I can report that Tim knows what he’s talking about.) I can confirm that I don’t hate it.
My time in the field further established my occupational needs. I want to travel and engage in long-term research. I need to be doing. While I am a perfectly capable pencil pusher, I cannot be cooped up in an office. I think excavation allows for this freedom. Many digs occur during the summer, leaving the rest of the year open for lab research, analyzing findings, and writing. It sounds right up my alley. I shall continue to pursue this route.
The short-term plan is graduate school. I’m looking at anthropology-archaeology programs in the US and abroad. I want to work in the field for a good while. I want to experience and practice archaeology in multiple locations and settings. The long-term tentative plan is law school, focusing on cultural heritage law. I’m pulled to issues regarding ownership, provenance, and proprietorship. My time in the field and the literal dirt will provide a perspective from the ground floor. That’s the plan. We’ll see what happens.
I have so many pieces of advice for future interns. Here are a few:
- For the love of all that is good and holy, bring more water than you need. The first week is the hardest in terms of heavy lifting. I suggest packing about 4 liters of water (1.5 L + 1.5 L + 1 L). Pay attention to your water intake and adjust accordingly. Many people did not bring enough water on the first day and struggled with dehydration or heat stroke.
- Make connections with the Turkish students. I made a great new friend here. She is a prehistoric archaeologist, and I learned so much from her. She offered new archaeological perspectives and tips for living in Turkey. I will miss her dearly.
- Keep tissues and wet wipes with you at all times. You never know when you will have to pee outside or encounter a squat toilet. Learn how to use a squat toilet.
- Spit out chicken bones. It seems self-explanatory. It is not.
- Pet all the cats.
Saturday, August 12, 2023