Don't go breaking the low now, guys. Anyway, the bus drops us off near one of these very threatening signs, we unload our coolers and some equipment, and we cross a short stretch of desert to reach our site. There are white tents set up for equipment, registration of objects, etc., along with one where we drop off our stuff and eat breakfast every day. By 6:20 or so, I am usually standing at my unit, and enjoying a view like this one:
Each of us has our own unit, so I am excavating my very own room within a larger complex. It's not far from the kitchen but that's all I really know about it so far. Our archaeobotanist is hoping we find a latrine so she can analyze what the complex's residents were eating, and perhaps even what season the... deposits... were made in. I think it's awesome that her fondest wish is to discover a crapper. Speaking of bathrooms, trust me, you do not want to have to go on our site. We have a makeshift outhouse that is basically a hole in the ground with four walls. On the first day, I really thought I had to use it... but I changed my mind and waited another three hours until we were back at the retreat. The other option is to climb over a hill and use a designated spot that is hidden from view. Let us hope it never comes to that.
Every day we take elevations, measure new stuff we uncover, adjust our floor plans, etc. I have a team of three workers who help me sift through the sand that comprises the top layer of my unit. We can't really talk to each other, but they are absolutely great. One of them is named Shenoute! So far we've picked out plenty of pottery, plaster, bone, glass, carbon, and shells. But I spent most of today uncovering a thicker layer of compact sand and mud brick tumble where a ceiling might have caved in. After we fully uncover and measure that feature of my unit, we get to destroy it and see what's underneath! I am excited to reach the older layers at the bottom of my unit, but of course I have to be patient.
We work out in the field until about 1:00, then we go back to Anafora for lunch, shower, nap, and by 5:00 we are back to work. There are endless forms to fill out and then duplicate electronically so that supervisors can keep track of our progress. A lot of information is logged in multiple places to ensure thoroughness. I think the hardest part for me is the mapping -- it's so tough to take a really rough, irregular surface and try to express it on graph paper. But I'll learn. Fortunately when we have down time, the team watches Robin Hood together. It's an awesomely bad BBC series that I highly recommend to all of you if you need a little brain candy.
It's ridiculously hard to stay hydrated in this environment, and despite the fact that I am drinking about three liters of water every day it still isn't enough. We have to drink rehydration packets every day. They do basically the same thing that Gatorade does, but they consist of a salty powder that you mix into your water. They taste funky but they help.
Tonight's dinner in Cairo was fun. Getting there was a bit harrowing -- we were looking for somewhere specific (I think... I was with a group). But we ended up at "Cafe Vivant," where the menu was in English and Arabic but most of the patrons were obviously natives. I had some decent pasta and some delicious, DELICIOUS Coca Cola. (I know, I quit, but if they won't sell you bottled water...) It's honestly really tough to get around on your own without Arabic, but we are managing so far. Tomorrow we plan to go to the pyramids! (And maybe do something else if we aren't exhausted.)
1 comment:
Sounds like an amazing experience so far. Thanks for the post. Stomp some bugs for me.
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