The Accidental Archaeologist
The official on-the-go adventure blog
Yes, I know…I’m not keeping up with this the way I should. The last few days of archaeology are easy to sum up, though: dig the sand, dig the sand, dig the sand. There you go. From Saturday to Tuesday weren’t very productive in terms of archaeology…actually quite disappointing. Tuesday to yesterday were a bit better, but most of what we found confirmed our findings from last year, so nothing earth-shattering. I’ve had some really aggravating “mum and dad fighting” moments with Mark on the edge of the trench. We’re still having a tug-of-war over doing it the American way vs. doing it the British way. I keep trying to explain to him that just because he thinks the American way is stupid doesn’t make it any less necessary in order to produce a comprehensible American site report! The last couple of days, though, we’ve managed to compromise on most things and peace and tranquility rules the trench edge now.
Other than the archaeology, we’ve been having a splendid time. The return UK students (who dug with us last year) are staying up the road and quite happy with a pool table and hot tub (Jo [one of this gang and who is reading over my shoulder] says “hey y’all”). Plus, they’re all old enough to legally buy their own alcohol. The gang in my house (basically “headquarters”) have been having just as much fun with a big, comfortable space to spread out in and a beach just down the road. The noise level most evenings is unbelievable…it’s like being perpetually immersed in a big slumber party…but everyone’s getting along famously. I think I shall just have to resign myself to the intense level of chatty excitement for the whole of the two weeks, and then just spend three days lying very still in a quiet, dark room when I get back to England.
I’m really enjoying being a Southerner again for awhile. My accent has changed dramatically since I got back here and I find myself saying things like “puppy DAWG” (of the giant, fat yellow Lab next door) and “Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise.” Those of you back in England would be highly amused if you could hear me. I’ve been amusing myself by playing country music for the gang on the way to and from the site and singing along enthusiastically. There have been introductions to new types of food like hush puppies, grits, and American biscuits (if you’re British and have no idea what I’m talking about, maybe I’ll make some for you some time). We haven’t yet rounded out our Southern experience with a snake sighting yet, but there have already been a couple of brown recluses (poisonous spiders) and quite a few ticks. I think all of the students will go back to England with a whole new appreciation for the mild, harmless countryside there.
Despite the new stuff, the students have been adapting surprisingly well. Many of them can already do a passable “Hi, y’all” and they’ve learned that a forecast for rain doesn’t mean a light English sprinkling. We had some storms pass through a few days ago, but it was the typical southeast storms with sudden squalls, gale-force winds, and apocalyptic downpours. As usual, Mark and I argued about going out and working until it hit. Obviously, I was against the idea, but Mark won and we managed about 20 mins of work before the first few heavy drops saw him running for the car yelling “Pull stumps!” I just gave my best “I told you so” eye roll and joined the general rush in the sudden downpour to get everyone to safety before the lightning started up. Needless to say, we stayed safe and dry in the house after that until the skies cleared.
The one continuing surprise is that Mark has managed to remain a perfectly law-abiding citizen…going the speed limit through town, even though it’s 25mph on a main road where it’s easy to unintentionally go faster. We haven’t had a single brush with the law this week, which I can only say has me absolutely baffled. Now, if only we can all manage to make it off the island at our intended time next week without a hurricane, volcano, or other natural disaster trapping us here, we will have pulled off a startlingly normal bit of fieldwork. I know, shocking. However, our American portion of the team have already taken bets on what strange circumstance will trap us here this time, and I’m guessing their predictions range from freak blizzard to plague of locusts.
Right, that’s all the time I’ve got for this post. My parents are making a brief visit tomorrow to see their daughter in action. I’m really looking forward to this, since they rarely get to see either of us twins at work. My mum has promised not to tell any embarrassing stories from my childhood and has even gone as far as to check that her intended wardrobe is appropriately field-savvy. I will be sure to send along an update after their visit to let y’all know how it goes. For now, though, there is a lovely breakfast waiting downstairs and I need another cup of coffee to get me jump-started for the day.
