Though I may not have had as much experience as some of the others on this trip, I have already learned so much in my two days of practice. Getting to see the dig site for myself and really immerse myself in it is exactly what I wanted out of this trip. Digging up rocks and roots aside, the actual excavation of the rooms along with the artifacts we find really gets me excited for the rest of this dig. What they don’t tell you about archaeology is just how much physical labor goes into an excavation, but how else would the sites get so organized? My physical limits are far and away my weakest point when it comes to working, but I try not to let that stop me when I’m on site. It’s important for me to rest often, but I’m there to do a job, and by God I intend to do it.
Antiochia as a living vibrant city is starting to piece together in my head with every day. More and more things about the city are becoming clearer, or at least the singular building we’re working on. I can almost visualize the structure as it once was, but speculative daydreaming isn’t enough to make a proper academic report. I know that I’ve only worked so many days, but I know that in the coming weeks, I can only improve my thoughts about Antiochia. All that remains is to do the work. Now let’s hope I don’t forget sunscreen.