Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

Excavating, Days 1 and 2

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For the past two days, we’ve had a lot going on at Humayma. After a 5:00am breakfast, we’ve packed a second breakfast for ourselves and hop onto the buses to go to site by 6. Arriving at 7, we unpack ourselves and our tools and head to our assigned squares. We work until 10, take second breakfast until around 10:30, and then work until 1. By 2:15 we’ve been back in Aqaba to wash up for lunch, and then we have had free time followed by lectures around 5 or 5:30 and dinner at 7. It’s a packed day with tons of food, but lots of fun.


When working, we’ve been mostly setting squares (marking off spaces in which to work) and emptying backfill (dirt used to protect previously excavated areas from further damage) from areas where work will be continued. So far, Chris’s team (Mike, Meaghan, Darcy and I) have been working on emptying the backfill from the fort, alongside Marla’s team (Jake and Kelsey) to expose a furnace and a section of subfloor that belongs to a heated dining room in the commander’s quarters. The first day was challenging, since we were adjusting to hard, sweaty work in the heat. Today was also quite difficult (day 2) since you’re fighting the growing heat and dust. We’re all getting used to the sensation of having dirt up your nose and all over your body, and the effort of carrying heavy loads around especially when tired. So far, I’ve most enjoyed the digging portion – carrying is kind of repetitive, but there’s something really satisfying about watching your own progress through a structure. Yesterday, I was helping uncover the dining room area (a small section called a probe), and we finished that fairly on the first day. It was really cool to see the stacks of brick that held up the floor, still intact for the most part. Today, we were finishing our clean-up of the furnace and surrounding areas to the last excavated layer so that Marla’s team can lay their squares and continue tomorrow.

There was a lot left to do in the area, which was COMPLETELY filled with sand. We had at least another foot of dirt to remove in a significant area, and it was much stiller in the air today. We had only reached one wall by the time second breakfast rolled around. Afterwards, we continued working for some time, and it wasn’t looking like we’d finish today. Fortunately, the representative from Jordan’s Department of Antiquities arrived on site yesterday, and by this afternoon the list of hired workers was up. It’s quite political, since members have to be evenly distributed between families, meaning that some people can’t be rehired every season. Five workers were sent over to help us, including Salim (a returning staff) who rode up on his camel, along with a lovely man named Mohammed and “Old Ali” - the oldest of many Alis who worked last season. Salim and the workers gave most of us Bedouin names because they’re easier for them to pronounce. Darcy is Hleilei (Crescent Moon), and Meaghan is Sahar (magic). I didn’t get a different name, since Sarah is a Bedouin name already, and it’s easy to pronounce.

 

With the help of five Bedouin workers, our square started looking close to completion. I got a little possessive and competitive, so started working much faster so we might finish it that day. With all of us working steadily and with so many extra hands, we finished preparing the square – it was extra satisfying. I’m already starting to develop a hand tan (so wonderful…) and so are many of the other students. It’s an awfully busy time!

Tomorrow, we (hopefully) start to work on our own square for the first time; I’m really looking forward to seeing what we’ll be working with, especially after we accomplished so much. Another day, and another early wakeup – but honestly, after such a satisfying time, it’s definitely something to look forward to :D