This month has been a profound, perspective shifting experience and I have learned so much. Here are a few reflections. To future participants considering this incredible journey, I would say the following: My first piece of advice is to come prepared for a rewarding physical and mental challenge. As long as the packing list is adhered to, there shouldn’t be any wardrobe issues, although it is good to have a strategy for containing mucky laundry. While in Gazipaşa, definitely try Köfte at Fahti’s: He is an incredible human and the sights and sounds of bidi bidi are unique and important to take in. Explore the ruins of ancient Selinus early on in the trip with an academic talking you through their significance, as this builds a special connection to the area before you’re even at the dig site. Most importantly, embrace the culture and people. The friendships you forge with the Turkish community members begin to feel more like family and help you develop as a global citizen who looks beyond headlines and geopolitical relations to search for simple and solid human connection.
On future archeological experience, I could absolutely see myself embarking on another excavation, and my reasons have evolved far beyond my initial interest in history. Prior to this time, I had a romantic notion of discovery (E.g. unearthing T-Rex bones) to a deep appreciation for meticulous, collaborative work. As a “first witness” to historical material, I’ve learned that every fragment has a story, and the archaeologist’s role is to be a careful, ethical steward of that story (i.e. duty of care).
One academic lesson I’ve learned is the crucial importance of context—how the position of an object (or person) is often more valuable than the object itself. This lesson was not only proven at the dig site, but also in our Monday discussions and around town as I began to learn about this region and its peoples throughout the past two millenniums. A funny but honest lesson I’ve learned is that boiling hot Turkish teacups are difficult to hold, and I probably dumped close to half a liter of hot tea on the 2,000 year-old Roman bath. In the end, my most memorable moment and takeaway was the drive out on the final day and reflecting on the different parts of this journey. From understanding how to identify fragments of pottery to unearthing ancient dice to calculating the elevations of our various Loci, each piece felt fresh and packed with information for which I had no context, creating an unforgettable patchwork of learning experiences that are sure to impact who I am as an individual and academic moving forward.