This is a re-write of my week 4 blog post that got eaten by the void. Trowel in hand, I bravely entered the void and slayed the no-wifi dragon, reclaiming the blog post and delivering it to the emperor (Dr. Howe).
I did an archaeology internship at the Antiochia ad Cragum site for four weeks during the summer of 2026. From this experience, I gained a wide variety of skills and experiences which would be helpful in any future career.
I feel that because of this excavation, I became a better historian. Spending time both on the field and off the field helped me to narrow in on what my goals are within the wide scope of history professions. By immersing myself in a hands-on experience when I was at the dig-site, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of how we uncover the past and the work that it takes to do so. Simply reading about the findings of other archaeologists would not allow me the unique perspective of seeing the artifacts up-close and in their original context. That being said, I still hope to spend the majority of my career doing more archival and research-based work. An aspect of my time in Türkiye that I most enjoyed was the few days that I got to spend working in the lab. I was able to collaborate with professional osteologists to sort and preserve human remains. I also helped to wash, label, and transport various bags of ancient pottery sherds. These two experiences allowed me to see what sort of cataloging systems are used in such a field in order to remain organized, respectful, and cohesive- qualities which I hope to replicate within my own profession.
Another key aspect of my time in Türkiye which has helped to prepare me for my career was the extensive amount of teamwork required in our excavation. By living and working in a country across the world from where I grew up, I was forced to make significant lifestyle adjustments and exercise my sense of perseverance. This would not have been possible without collaboration with the team around me. Throughout my internship, I got acquainted with many local Turkish workers and was able to learn more about their culture and find common ground between us. They brought a unique perspective to our work which helped to enrich our interpretations of the artifacts that we uncovered. I also worked with my fellow St. Olaf undergrad students. We pushed each other to get stronger, stay positive, and think analytically both at the dig-site and around the city of Gazipaşa. Together, we learned a lot of archaeological methodology and terminology as well as making significant progress which we could be proud of in our individual trenches. Throughout my experience, I spent time as a leader and as a follower, working closely with the people around me so that we could all leave smarter and stronger (and tanner) than when we arrived.
My time spent doing archaeology in Turkiye was simply irreplicable. I feel that there could have been no other situation in which I would have learned more about the paths of history and how to interpret them. I made memories I will never forget and got to see some of the most beautiful scenic views, as well as diving deeply into my work and opening the doors of my future. I am incredibly proud of the progress I made during the duration of the internship. I left Türkiye with a stronger sense of grit than I had felt before in my life, as well as feeling that I had the tools to begin entering professional historical fields. This experience is one that I would recommend to anyone who wants to prepare for a job in exploring the past, because the versatility of the internship ensures that everyone will be able to discover a facet that lights them up.