Hi everyone. So I am going to be posting frequent updates while I am here excavating in Trim, Co. Meath. Should be posting everyday or so, depends on how things develop on the site. Hopefully there will be lots to share with you all.
Day 0:
I arrived in Trim on Sunday afternoon. I drove up with another student who was leaving from a town outside of Cork. Took about 3.5 hours to make the journey up. Trim is a very small town. There really isn't much here at all. After we arrived we checked into the hostel and headed out to get an idea where the site was so were wouldn't be lost in the morning. The site is less than a 5 minute walk from the hostel. Then again, everything is less then a 5 minute walk from the hostel. Yes, the town is that small. After locating the site we headed to the pub to watch the Ireland v Croatia soccer match. Ireland lost miserably. The pub was a sad place. After the game we headed back to the hostel and called it a night.
Day 1:
First day on site. Spent most of the morning doing paperwork and health/safety training. Had a mini lecture on the site history then we were assigned different tasks. Those of us with field experience were sent straight into the main digging area. The new people were near by with the directors who were teaching them excavation techniques. My task for the day, along with a few other students, was to clean up the north area of the main trench to get it ready to be photographed. This involves taking a very small layer of dirt off the top, levelling out the surface and cleaning up all the loose dirt that might have been left over from the previous work. That took a good part of the morning and a bit of the early afternoon. Very little was found today as we were not digging very deep. Several pieces of bone were uncovered but they were most likely animal bone. It was not really identifiable and showed no signs of butchering or such. The bones were also likely a more recent deposit and therefore we discarded them. A single human tooth was also uncovered as was a bit of ceramic. The tooth was an upper first incisor (one of your big upper front teeth). The piece of pottery was left in situ and will be excavated at a later point as it was too deep in the ground to be safely removed at this point in time. Once it was all clean we took pictures of the area. With that task finished we moved onto cleaning up the wall that formed the southern boundary of the north area. This is the remains of buttressed wall of the cloister of the original church. The wall is slightly abnormal so we are looking to see if it might be that it was added on at a later point in time. We cleaned up the wall in preparation for tomorrows work which will entail a detailed drawing of the wall and the possibility of removing a section of it to explore what lays under.
Hopefully tomorrow we will start getting into the areas where the burials are thought to be. The game plan is for me to assist the bioarchaeologist in the field on the days the weather allows and to work in the lab on the remains already uncovered on the rainy days. Should be a good mix of field and laboratory work. So that's it for the first field update. Lost more to come over the next two weeks.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Moving
First off, I want to thank those of you who responded to my last post and offered financial support. Without your contributions I would not be able to go on the upcoming dig. Things are still going to be extremely tight with the budget. As such, I am still accepting contributions. There are several academic conferences that I would like to be able to attend to further my professional network and learn as much as possible. I thank you in advance for any contributions!!
I hate moving. I have moved so many times in the last 4 years. Sadly, the last 9 months have been the longest I have lived in one location for a while. That being said, I really like my new flat. It is a 4 bedroom house with a large backyard that has a built in fire pit. I currently live with 2 other Irish guys. Both of them work and one goes home every weekend, so there is a lot of space for us right now. Not sure if there will be a 4th person living here or not. I would assume so. My room is a bit smaller than my last place and I no longer have my own bathroom. But it is large enough for me as I don't need much. My only real complaint about the flat is the tiny kitchen. Can really only fit one person in it at a time. The place is right across the street from the main university campus but its further away from the archaeology department and the city centre. Nearest grocery store is just about a mile away. Looks like I will be getting in a lot more of a workout with all the walking I will be doing. I'll upload some pictures soon. My new mailing address is posted on the mailing address page.
Next Sunday I leave for excavation. I am really looking forward to the trip. This opportunity will open up a lot of doors and will help establish me in the professional Irish archaeology field. I will be working with a team from ASU and an Irish team. I will be part of the team that is excavating the cemetery and analysing all the human remains. The remains will hopefully become part of my master's thesis as well. I really don't know what to expect, as with most digs, so it should be a very interesting experience. I will try and post as frequently as possible during my time in the field. They have already found several burials!! Looks like I am in for a treat! If you want to check out the website for the dig here is the url: https://blackfriary.wordpress.com/
Still no luck on the job front. I have been all over town the last few days stopping in to every shop and bar there is looking for work. Just none to be found. Hopefully, something will turn up soon. Until then I am watching every penny I spend. really beginning to like my meals of rice and beans!
Well that is it for now.
I hate moving. I have moved so many times in the last 4 years. Sadly, the last 9 months have been the longest I have lived in one location for a while. That being said, I really like my new flat. It is a 4 bedroom house with a large backyard that has a built in fire pit. I currently live with 2 other Irish guys. Both of them work and one goes home every weekend, so there is a lot of space for us right now. Not sure if there will be a 4th person living here or not. I would assume so. My room is a bit smaller than my last place and I no longer have my own bathroom. But it is large enough for me as I don't need much. My only real complaint about the flat is the tiny kitchen. Can really only fit one person in it at a time. The place is right across the street from the main university campus but its further away from the archaeology department and the city centre. Nearest grocery store is just about a mile away. Looks like I will be getting in a lot more of a workout with all the walking I will be doing. I'll upload some pictures soon. My new mailing address is posted on the mailing address page.
Next Sunday I leave for excavation. I am really looking forward to the trip. This opportunity will open up a lot of doors and will help establish me in the professional Irish archaeology field. I will be working with a team from ASU and an Irish team. I will be part of the team that is excavating the cemetery and analysing all the human remains. The remains will hopefully become part of my master's thesis as well. I really don't know what to expect, as with most digs, so it should be a very interesting experience. I will try and post as frequently as possible during my time in the field. They have already found several burials!! Looks like I am in for a treat! If you want to check out the website for the dig here is the url: https://blackfriary.wordpress.com/
Still no luck on the job front. I have been all over town the last few days stopping in to every shop and bar there is looking for work. Just none to be found. Hopefully, something will turn up soon. Until then I am watching every penny I spend. really beginning to like my meals of rice and beans!
Well that is it for now.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
State of Affairs
Greetings and happy summer. I don't what seasons are as there seems to be only one season all year round here. I guess it is kinda like being back home, except for nice, warm, and sunny days, I have cold and rainy days. I know I have not posted an update for some time. I guess I am not very good at this blogging thing, though I have spoken with most of you on Skype. I will publish a post on my trip to Wales shortly, sorry for the delay. So now on to the update.
First school. I finished all of my courses by the beginning of April. When then had a month off before exams. Unlike back home, where you take your exams at the end of the course, in Ireland you take all your exams at the end of the year. You receive one month off, nicknamed 'Study Month', and then have a series of exams. I had only one exam for Anatomy, so not too bad. I had several other papers and projects do though, so it was a trade off. I still have 2 papers left to write, one due on Thursday and one the following Monday. I will be spending a lot of time in the library this week writing and such. Luckily, I have a friend and we force each other to get up and go to the library. Without each other I doubt we would have made it this far. The anatomy exam went well, though I totally misread a question, so there goes a good chunk of my grade. Oh well, I only needed a 40% or better to get a good grade in the class. Not too worried. My other papers are receiving good marks as well. My latest one, received a 1st, which is the equivalent to an A. As for my thesis, I have written one chapter so far and have another one half way finished. Just need to finish writing the second half. Should have that completed by the end of the month. Things are going pretty well academically.
Outside of academia things are mixed. I will start with the positive. Though stressed, I have really begun to enjoy life here. I have made a few friends though I do spend a lot of time by myself. Though that is nothing new really. I am used to the rainy weather and in some aspects do enjoy it. I love listening to the rain at night but I just wish it wasn't so cold and I could have my window open to really hear it. I am moving to a new house at the end of this month. Don't know who my new roommates will be or anything, so hopefully it all works out. I will be happy to leave this student accommodation and actually live in a proper house with good internet. The new place also has a large back yard with a fire pit built in so hopefully there is some nice weather this summer to have a few gatherings and a BBQ. In other good news, I have been added as a team member to an archaeological dig this June in Trim, County Meath (about an hour northeast of Dublin). I will be assisting in the excavation of a medieval cemetery at Blackfriary. I am very much looking forward to the experience and it will put me into good contact with other professionals and serve as a valuable networking opportunity. This has however, raised many complications which I will describe later. So that's it for the good news.
On to the not so good news. I still have been unable to secure a job. I assisted with a tour day of UCC so I will be getting a small check for that in the mail soon. I have one promising lead on a job, but don't know when exactly that will pan out. They really like me and are in the process of opening a new shop which they would have me work out. Just not sure on the exact date that it will open. As I eluded to above, the upcoming excavation is causing a series of issues. The first being that I did not budget for this whatsoever. I am responsible for my own accommodation whilst in Trim which is proving to be costly. Trim is a very picturesque village that is popular with tourists and vacationers. I also did not bring any of my excavation equipment with me due to weight regulations for the airlines. I will need to buy a pair of work boots as having mine shipped from home would cost more money then to buy a new pair here. I am also lacking in field clothes. I currently do not have enough money to cover any of these things. This opportunity is a great one that could easily help me advance my career in both academia and professional archaeology. As such I have come up with a list of items I am in need of:
1. Money. This is the most important thing I am currently in need of. Without this I will not be able to partake in this excavation. I wish things were different and that I didn't have to ask for this, but I have no other options. If anyone is feeling generous please email me and I will provide my bank details for a wire or you can send it on to my mom who can place it into my US account.
2. Field clothes. I mainly need a par of field pants. I prefer army combat uniform pants (waist size 32" or Medium-Regular). I have one pair with me now, but fresh pants will be in demand with all the rain and mud I am sure to be digging in and I am not aware of the clothes washing situation. I am also in need of a standard web belt. I thought I packed mine, but I guess I forgot it. I have everything else I think. Will buy some simple t-shirts and such to layer and have a good rain jacket.
3. Money. Can't really stress this enough. If I am going to make it through this summer I will need financial assistance. As mentioned before, I am going to need to buy a pair of boots, shirts and socks, a few small excavation tools, and most importantly feed myself. Oh, also need money for train to get me to Trim from Cork and back.
So there ya go, my current state of affairs. Basically all is good except for the money situation for this excavation. I also wish to travel and attend academic conferences this summer in the UK and mainland Europe, but I might have to scrap those plans because of money. Also it would make getting a job difficult as I would need to take time off to go to these events and such. They say money is the root of all evil, I think it is the lack of money that is the problem.
In closing I will give you a sneak peek that the location I will be excavating at. Your job is to figure out what movie this place was used (hint: it was a major blockbuster).
**UPDATE 5/14/12**
So I left something important out from the post. As I am moving at the end of the month. If you are sending me anything in the post, please make sure it is sent no later then this Friday, May 18, 2012. After that it is likely that I will not be living at this address in order to receive it. I will post my new address shortly.
First school. I finished all of my courses by the beginning of April. When then had a month off before exams. Unlike back home, where you take your exams at the end of the course, in Ireland you take all your exams at the end of the year. You receive one month off, nicknamed 'Study Month', and then have a series of exams. I had only one exam for Anatomy, so not too bad. I had several other papers and projects do though, so it was a trade off. I still have 2 papers left to write, one due on Thursday and one the following Monday. I will be spending a lot of time in the library this week writing and such. Luckily, I have a friend and we force each other to get up and go to the library. Without each other I doubt we would have made it this far. The anatomy exam went well, though I totally misread a question, so there goes a good chunk of my grade. Oh well, I only needed a 40% or better to get a good grade in the class. Not too worried. My other papers are receiving good marks as well. My latest one, received a 1st, which is the equivalent to an A. As for my thesis, I have written one chapter so far and have another one half way finished. Just need to finish writing the second half. Should have that completed by the end of the month. Things are going pretty well academically.
Outside of academia things are mixed. I will start with the positive. Though stressed, I have really begun to enjoy life here. I have made a few friends though I do spend a lot of time by myself. Though that is nothing new really. I am used to the rainy weather and in some aspects do enjoy it. I love listening to the rain at night but I just wish it wasn't so cold and I could have my window open to really hear it. I am moving to a new house at the end of this month. Don't know who my new roommates will be or anything, so hopefully it all works out. I will be happy to leave this student accommodation and actually live in a proper house with good internet. The new place also has a large back yard with a fire pit built in so hopefully there is some nice weather this summer to have a few gatherings and a BBQ. In other good news, I have been added as a team member to an archaeological dig this June in Trim, County Meath (about an hour northeast of Dublin). I will be assisting in the excavation of a medieval cemetery at Blackfriary. I am very much looking forward to the experience and it will put me into good contact with other professionals and serve as a valuable networking opportunity. This has however, raised many complications which I will describe later. So that's it for the good news.
On to the not so good news. I still have been unable to secure a job. I assisted with a tour day of UCC so I will be getting a small check for that in the mail soon. I have one promising lead on a job, but don't know when exactly that will pan out. They really like me and are in the process of opening a new shop which they would have me work out. Just not sure on the exact date that it will open. As I eluded to above, the upcoming excavation is causing a series of issues. The first being that I did not budget for this whatsoever. I am responsible for my own accommodation whilst in Trim which is proving to be costly. Trim is a very picturesque village that is popular with tourists and vacationers. I also did not bring any of my excavation equipment with me due to weight regulations for the airlines. I will need to buy a pair of work boots as having mine shipped from home would cost more money then to buy a new pair here. I am also lacking in field clothes. I currently do not have enough money to cover any of these things. This opportunity is a great one that could easily help me advance my career in both academia and professional archaeology. As such I have come up with a list of items I am in need of:
1. Money. This is the most important thing I am currently in need of. Without this I will not be able to partake in this excavation. I wish things were different and that I didn't have to ask for this, but I have no other options. If anyone is feeling generous please email me and I will provide my bank details for a wire or you can send it on to my mom who can place it into my US account.
2. Field clothes. I mainly need a par of field pants. I prefer army combat uniform pants (waist size 32" or Medium-Regular). I have one pair with me now, but fresh pants will be in demand with all the rain and mud I am sure to be digging in and I am not aware of the clothes washing situation. I am also in need of a standard web belt. I thought I packed mine, but I guess I forgot it. I have everything else I think. Will buy some simple t-shirts and such to layer and have a good rain jacket.
3. Money. Can't really stress this enough. If I am going to make it through this summer I will need financial assistance. As mentioned before, I am going to need to buy a pair of boots, shirts and socks, a few small excavation tools, and most importantly feed myself. Oh, also need money for train to get me to Trim from Cork and back.
So there ya go, my current state of affairs. Basically all is good except for the money situation for this excavation. I also wish to travel and attend academic conferences this summer in the UK and mainland Europe, but I might have to scrap those plans because of money. Also it would make getting a job difficult as I would need to take time off to go to these events and such. They say money is the root of all evil, I think it is the lack of money that is the problem.
In closing I will give you a sneak peek that the location I will be excavating at. Your job is to figure out what movie this place was used (hint: it was a major blockbuster).
**UPDATE 5/14/12**
So I left something important out from the post. As I am moving at the end of the month. If you are sending me anything in the post, please make sure it is sent no later then this Friday, May 18, 2012. After that it is likely that I will not be living at this address in order to receive it. I will post my new address shortly.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
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