June Wrapped: Volunteering at an archaeological site
Plus a packing list!
This year is all about doing things in real life, and last month I did something I’ve always wanted to do. I volunteered at an archaeological site.
Thanks to Google and the AIA, I discovered The Berry Site. I contacted the dig director to make sure someone with a bad back and zero experience could volunteer, and after getting the okay, I packed my bags and headed to North Carolina.
There is an art to shoveling and throwing dirt. The dirt must be scooped and thrown in such a way as to land in a neat pile. I admired this art from afar since my back injury prevented me from joining in the fun, and I appreciated that no one gave me a hard time about not digging. I mostly sifted and washed artifacts. While I occasionally got a face full of dirt from an overenthusiastic toss, manning the screening station was one of my favorite things to do.
You wouldn’t believe how difficult it can be to tell the difference between a rock and a tiny pottery sherd. I was constantly asking, “Is this a rock?” Usually it was, but the site has some beautiful rocks. There were rocks that sparkled and some that looked like glass. For the first time in my life, I wished I had taken a geology class. Besides rocks of all shapes and sizes, our group found pottery sherds, worked points, clay pipe stem pieces, and more.
It’s exciting to touch something that has been buried in the ground for hundreds (and in one case thousands) of years. Of course archaeology is about more than just finding things, and we were often reminded that an artifact without context is useless—which is one of the many reasons why looting is bad.
(This was the first large pottery sherd I found. Also, I shamelessly stole this photo from The Berry Site Field School Facebook Page, which is worth a browse if you’re interested in the field school.)
(Savannah Mandel, space archaeologist, visited one day and talked about her new book Ground Control: An Argument for the End of Human Space Exploration. I can’t wait to get my copy!)
I watched a lot of YouTube to figure out what to pack, but this video was the most helpful. All tools were provided at the site, so I didn’t have to bring anything special, although I really wanted an excuse to buy a trowel…
Archaeological Dig Packing List:
Sunscreen
Screen Wipes (I wore my Apple Watch most of the time, so these were a must!)
Saline Nasal Mist (good for allergies and getting dirt out of your nose…)
Belt Bag (I thrifted mine from ThredUp)
Mini Deodorant (for when you need to freshen up in the field)
Hand Sanitizer
Short and Long Sleeve t-shirts
Bandanas (Madewell usually has some on sale)
First Aid Kit (pain reliever, different types of band-aids, etc.)
Aloe Lotion (this does not keep bugs away but it’s great for the inevitable sunburn)
Protein Bars
Liquid IV
I wished I’d packed…
DEET bug spray. I didn’t know death by gnats was a possibility until I got out my car that first morning. They were truly a plague that could only be kept away by strong poison. (Thanks Lizzie for saving me from the bugs!) I also wish I’d packed a skirt and nice top for going out.
Volunteering was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in a long time. I definitely hope to do it again.
(I picked this up at the Morganton General Store, and it was surprisingly good.)
(Also, couldn’t resist stopping at Buc-ee's on the way home. Their candied cashews blew my mind.)
Around the Web:
Casey Lewis’ take on dating apps and singleness is always worth a listen…
That’s the Best Frosting I’ve Ever Had from Tasty Kitchen really is that good
The New York Times: These Victorian Lampshades Are a TikTok Hit
This made me laugh
Newsletters:
And, one last thing…