I find the Roman Empire to be just as interesting as the next person does, but after sitting with the readings for a while I am starting to realize that the smaller communities under its broad reach are equally (if not maybe even more) fascinating. One of the aspects of Antiochia that was highlighted in many of the articles was the unique ways in which the occupants of the site seemingly adapted to Roman rule while still retaining a level of agency. I’m excited to see how this autonomy shows up in the archaeological record and to learn more about how previous researchers have been able to piece evidence together both in Antiochia and other similar sites. I found the discussions of how archaeologists use details like naming conventions to inform a broader sense of the community’s subtle shifts in politics and culture to be particularly cool! Although I very likely will not be unearthing any Indiana Jones-level artifacts, I think that there’s significance to be found in even the smallest discoveries.<\/p>\n
In terms of concepts that were brought up in the readings, I am most interested in looking at the connections between archaeology and tourism. The intersection of those two concepts was a major point of discussion in the ethics course that I\u2019ve taken, whether it be the positive or negative effects of their combination. On the one hand, a heightened interest in archaeological sites makes the work of public archaeologists more impactful and greatly help with the costs of these projects. On the other hand, it can pose a danger to their conservation and the communities around them. Beyond the physical sense, the narratives and ideas connected to these sites also throw in ethical complications. As someone who does enjoy visiting archaeological places of interest, I\u2019m hoping that this experience will give me a better idea of what it\u2019s like on the other side of the guardrails and plaques. I think it will be a unique opportunity to get my hands dirty (quite literally, I have a feeling I\u2019ll be scrubbing dirt from under my nails for a while) and broaden my understanding of how to be a conscientious visitor.<\/span><\/p>\n It feels weird to think that after a good few years of taking classes related to archaeology, I will now be able to actually put what I’ve learned into practice. As such, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to start this experience off on the right foot so I can hopefully learn as much as possible for any future fieldwork I might go on to do. One of the core principles that I feel has been brought up in many of the readings I’ve done on the subject of archaeological ethics is the importance of active listening and collaboration. Whether it be with teammates, local communities, the public, or any other parties involved, a willingness to learn and share experiences is something I hope to bring with me to Gazipasa. I have also been thinking about the fact that the work that we do this summer will contribute to one of my favorite aspects of archaeology: the continued development and change of our knowledge in the field. While it might seem kind of discouraging at first, I kind of love the idea that there’s always more out there no matter how concrete a theory may seem. What may seem perfectly obvious now could be challenged later. Putting actual findings and hypotheses from fieldwork out there is a bit daunting for me, but knowing that it contributes to furthering our understanding of Antiochia’s history is well worth it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I find the Roman Empire to be just as interesting as the next person does, but after sitting with the readings for a while I am starting to realize that the smaller communities under its broad reach are equally (if not maybe even more) fascinating. 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