Everybody was tired out from the wedding today, even though we all got to bed earlier than usual. So much excitement. Also, I started actual work today: we are clearing the weeds & top couple centimeters of soil off of the south city gate, partially excavated by the German expedition 100 years ago. That’s hard work out in the sun! We had several workers from Fevzipasha, but we all pickaxed and shoveled and so forth too.
When I get tired during archaeology, these are the ways in which I malinger while trying to appear to be industrious:
1. I pick up tiny objects from the ground and peer at them interestedly. When I feel better, I toss them away with an air of superiority as if to say, “Clearly modern.”
2. I sit or kneel on the ground and carefully brush the dirt away from a portion of it. I peer at it interestedly, and trace imaginery lines on it as if I see something there. After I while, I give a resigned shrug and carry on pickaxing.
3. I go get a drink of water. I keep a very virtuous sort of expression on my face–got to stay hydrated after all.
4. I gaze off as if fascinated by the landscape, or by the shepherd moving the cows & sheep around, or something. I’m learning about Turkey!
5. I ask another archaeologist some learned sounding question: “Is this a destruction level?” “Does it look like this is part of the pavement?” etc.
It’s *extremely* windy here, and we have to keep the windows open, so as I type my hair and crumbs from my sandwich are flying about as if alive and out to get me.
p.s. pics of the Turkish wedding up on Flickr
ooPtaU Thank you
http://megagamers.worldispnetwork.com/