From July 13 through August 6, I performed archaeology at Antiochia ad Cragum in Gazipaşa, Turkïye. Since July 28, for eight days, I worked in the unit of ANS 9. Picking up where the last team at the unit left off, we dug approximately one meter down. This was done with ten-centimeter passes, and using trowels, pickaxes, and large picks. Clippers were used to snip roots, and brushes were used to clean off areas for better clarity. We used dustpans, buckets, and wheelbarrows to move rocks and dirt out of the unit. Other tools were the Munsell chart, for testing the color of soil and thereby opening new loci, and the camera, North arrow, scalebar and whiteboard for documenting the opening and closing of a locus. We found mostly pottery, but even that was scarce. There were fewer sherds in the upper loci, and most were found in the larger locus 9. After more ten-centimeter passes, we encountered more sherds, goat and cow bones, and glass. We also found some more unique items like a nail and a lamp spout. A portion of the sherds found were diagnostic pieces, like handles, amphorae toes, and rims, so it could be inferred that the sherds we found were mostly cookware and fineware. There were some tiles found. While there was a lack of finds, the structure of the unit itself was much more intriguing. When we arrived at the unit, the previous group had unearthed a small wall feature jutting out from the northeastern border of ANS 9. After passing through the area multiple times, we discovered that the feature created a corner and perpendicular wall that connected to the northern wall. It can be inferred that this wall enclosed a small room. After the “room” was articulated, large flagstones were visible in the northern floor, furthermore indicating the presence of a room interior. In the larger area of the unit, there were mostly sherds, minimal bones, and unstable stones, until a ten-centimeter pass revealed a system of rocks stretching from the lower northwestern wall to the southern corner, which our group believes to be a wall. A large chunk of mortar was also unearthed in the large locus, on the north side of the wall feature. As our work progressed, our interpretations evolved. During the first few days of excavation, I was more focused on looking for diagnostic pieces, glass, coins, etc. While I was initially disappointed at the minimal findings, it became clear that the unit contained incredibly interesting structures. For the last few days, the focus shifted towards articulating the structures of the unit. This affirms that the documentation of structural elements is as important as the documentation of objects. While objects can be used to infer about the lifestyle of former inhabitants, the structures (even when damaged) give insight to the way that people lived. The broader significance of these structural findings highlights the importance of preserving archaeological sites. The discoveries demonstrate how even relatively “regular” walls can seem simple at first glance, but raise questions upon further inspection.This project reinforced the values of idea collaboration, as every member of the group contributed perspectives that strengthened the overall interpretation of the site. Sharing these findings with supervisors, fellow researchers, and local communities will encourage continued support for archaeological research and heritage conservation throughout Türkiye. Looking ahead, the next group to excavate ANS 9 should focus on expanding the eastern wall to excavate more of the room feature and the wall in the larger locus. In conclusion, the work completed during this field season has significantly improved our understanding of the archaeological site and its role within the region’s history. The discoveries demonstrate the value of teamwork, documentation, and collaborative interpretation. Although many of our questions remain unanswered for now, the next group of students will do the same thing as us and work together to explore the structures and objects within them. Continued investigation will reveal additional evidence that further expands our understanding of the communities that once lived at this site.
