So as many of you know, in May I graduated with a Masters in European History. Boom. Killed it. Was nearly killed myself, but also, it. Done. And now, I am in the third week of a six week archaeological field school in Jamestown Virginia. Which I would also kill, if it hadn't been dead for a few centuries already.
I mean, basically I'm Indiana Jones. Friday I escaped a cursed tomb and last Wednesday I infiltrated a Nazi stronghold. Unlike some people, though, I happened to NOT destroy a ton of priceless artifacts, which will, possibly eventually, actually end up in the museum so desperately advocated for.
Just kidding. Sort of. There are some things I can't tell you without killing you.
I'm sure this comes as a massive shock to everyone but archaeology is not, in fact, like a certain temple-destroying menace (I do have a trowel, though, which is kind of threatening if I use it right?). Thank goodness for that, though, because that seems like it would involve a lot of running and I'm not really about that life. I do end most days pretty tired, often sore, and covered head to toe in dirt after being out in the hot Virginia sun for eight hours.
It is spectacularly exciting, though, especially at Jamestown. See, Jamestown is the first successful English settlement in North America, though here the word"successful" is relative, since the first settlement up and vanished, so it wasn't that hard to one-up those guys.
And as far as non-relative success, though, it was really kind of a nightmare. They ate a person, guys. Possibly more than one, but for sure this one girl who they've deemed "Jane." And the facial reconstruction (which is BANGIN. I'm ridiculously impressed, like holy cow that's amazing) of that girl makes the whole scenario even worse, cuz like, they ate her. She had probably already died of starvation, but still. Ewe.
This is also where John Smith hails from (not nearly as charming in real life, don't let Disney fool you. Though he was outrageously cocky, and therefore his writing is a delight to read) as well as Pocahontas (though also, not nearly so fun nor song-filled a story as Disney would have you believe).
Also, as of about twenty-five years ago, most people thought the location of the original Jamestown fort was long-submerged in the James River, lost to the receding shoreline over 400 years. But alas, a certain Dr. William Kelso was like "Nah, I think it's over by that old church on Jamestown Island," and BAM. Found it. (I may have paraphrased here.)
And guess which incredible Archaeologist + team that I get to work alongside of??? THAT GUY AND A BUNCH OF OTHER CRAZY AMAZING JAMESTOWN ARCHAEOLOGISTS! I did not realize this before I came so did not have time to prepare myself for working with such cool people, and so have been silently freaking out for like two weeks.
Also? They've found OVER TWO-MILLION ARTIFACTS HERE. So. Many. And I personally have dug a whole ton of stuff up. Nothing groundbreaking (haha archaeology pun), and mostly out of the context of its original time period, but it's still so cool to find things, and to know that pieces of the past are literally at the tips of my fingers.
I've been digging new sites, learning to screen dirt and find artifacts, and today was my first day in the lab. I was mostly cleaning artifacts, but also learning about how to date various horizons and how to gain information based on the context and the assortment of artifacts in relation to one another. I have been learning so much. And I've been right in the action, too, digging, screening, talking to curious tourists who ask what we're doing. I'm having an incredible time at it, and I'm doing things I never would have thought I'd get the chance to do.
It's exhilarating, being part of history in such a tangible, active way. I love reading historical narratives and and primary sources, and debating and discussing about how things were and what they mean, but holding a piece of history, or even better helping to find a piece of history that's been buried for centuries, even something as simple as a clay pipe or a bead, is an amazing experience. I can't believe I get to do something so cool. I don't know if this is where my career is leading me but I'm so unbelievably excited that this is part of the adventure.
Now, I actually literally can't post some things, so rather than tentatively post some stuff and not others, I'm going to just direct you to Jamestown's facebook page, since they post whatever they deem acceptable. Maybe we can get coffee sometime, though, and I can tell you more about what I'm doing. It's the best and I would be glad to talk your ear off:
https://www.facebook.com/Jamestown-Rediscovery-180142228694508/
ALSO, as is customary, here's the unasked-for info about my life during my free time in Virginia:
-I'm currently binge-watching my way through Game of Thrones because apparently everyone at Field School has seen it? One of the staff insinuated the group I'm in should be the Greyjoys and I'm deeply offended because they are rubbish.
-I accidentally took a Yorktown Battlefield driving tour the other day, which was RAD, and un-accidentally played "The Battle of Yorktown" from Hamilton on repeat for the entire hour and a half I was doing it.
-Been listening to a lot of Broadway soundtracks. Singing Scarlet Pimpernel at loud volumes when my roommate is away, and hoping that my belting is not audible from other parts of the building, cuz hearing singing about guillotines may be alarming to some. I don't know, apparently it's not a normal thing to sing about?
I mean, basically I'm Indiana Jones. Friday I escaped a cursed tomb and last Wednesday I infiltrated a Nazi stronghold. Unlike some people, though, I happened to NOT destroy a ton of priceless artifacts, which will, possibly eventually, actually end up in the museum so desperately advocated for.
Just kidding. Sort of. There are some things I can't tell you without killing you.
I'm sure this comes as a massive shock to everyone but archaeology is not, in fact, like a certain temple-destroying menace (I do have a trowel, though, which is kind of threatening if I use it right?). Thank goodness for that, though, because that seems like it would involve a lot of running and I'm not really about that life. I do end most days pretty tired, often sore, and covered head to toe in dirt after being out in the hot Virginia sun for eight hours.
 |
| Ready to outsmart some Nazis |
And as far as non-relative success, though, it was really kind of a nightmare. They ate a person, guys. Possibly more than one, but for sure this one girl who they've deemed "Jane." And the facial reconstruction (which is BANGIN. I'm ridiculously impressed, like holy cow that's amazing) of that girl makes the whole scenario even worse, cuz like, they ate her. She had probably already died of starvation, but still. Ewe.
 |
| Meet Jane. Now you, too, can be slightly creeped out with me. More importantly, here's more info about her. Read it. Just seriously. But maybe not if you're squeamish. In which case better not. http://historicjamestowne.org/archaeology/jane/history/ |
This is also where John Smith hails from (not nearly as charming in real life, don't let Disney fool you. Though he was outrageously cocky, and therefore his writing is a delight to read) as well as Pocahontas (though also, not nearly so fun nor song-filled a story as Disney would have you believe).
Also, as of about twenty-five years ago, most people thought the location of the original Jamestown fort was long-submerged in the James River, lost to the receding shoreline over 400 years. But alas, a certain Dr. William Kelso was like "Nah, I think it's over by that old church on Jamestown Island," and BAM. Found it. (I may have paraphrased here.)
And guess which incredible Archaeologist + team that I get to work alongside of??? THAT GUY AND A BUNCH OF OTHER CRAZY AMAZING JAMESTOWN ARCHAEOLOGISTS! I did not realize this before I came so did not have time to prepare myself for working with such cool people, and so have been silently freaking out for like two weeks.
Also? They've found OVER TWO-MILLION ARTIFACTS HERE. So. Many. And I personally have dug a whole ton of stuff up. Nothing groundbreaking (haha archaeology pun), and mostly out of the context of its original time period, but it's still so cool to find things, and to know that pieces of the past are literally at the tips of my fingers.
I've been digging new sites, learning to screen dirt and find artifacts, and today was my first day in the lab. I was mostly cleaning artifacts, but also learning about how to date various horizons and how to gain information based on the context and the assortment of artifacts in relation to one another. I have been learning so much. And I've been right in the action, too, digging, screening, talking to curious tourists who ask what we're doing. I'm having an incredible time at it, and I'm doing things I never would have thought I'd get the chance to do.
It's exhilarating, being part of history in such a tangible, active way. I love reading historical narratives and and primary sources, and debating and discussing about how things were and what they mean, but holding a piece of history, or even better helping to find a piece of history that's been buried for centuries, even something as simple as a clay pipe or a bead, is an amazing experience. I can't believe I get to do something so cool. I don't know if this is where my career is leading me but I'm so unbelievably excited that this is part of the adventure.
Now, I actually literally can't post some things, so rather than tentatively post some stuff and not others, I'm going to just direct you to Jamestown's facebook page, since they post whatever they deem acceptable. Maybe we can get coffee sometime, though, and I can tell you more about what I'm doing. It's the best and I would be glad to talk your ear off:
https://www.facebook.com/Jamestown-Rediscovery-180142228694508/
ALSO, as is customary, here's the unasked-for info about my life during my free time in Virginia:
-I'm currently binge-watching my way through Game of Thrones because apparently everyone at Field School has seen it? One of the staff insinuated the group I'm in should be the Greyjoys and I'm deeply offended because they are rubbish.
 |
| For real he's the worst. His family is the worst. Literally only dislike Geoffrey more at this point, though to be fair most of the characters in this show are terrible people. |
-I accidentally took a Yorktown Battlefield driving tour the other day, which was RAD, and un-accidentally played "The Battle of Yorktown" from Hamilton on repeat for the entire hour and a half I was doing it.
-Been listening to a lot of Broadway soundtracks. Singing Scarlet Pimpernel at loud volumes when my roommate is away, and hoping that my belting is not audible from other parts of the building, cuz hearing singing about guillotines may be alarming to some. I don't know, apparently it's not a normal thing to sing about?
Also still been dancing to K-POP routines when I get the chance. Though, sad day, I found out my favorite K-POP group, SISTAR is disbanding. Which is terrible. But they are still wonderful and beautiful and I still aspire to move like them.
This one's one of my faves. Try this and "Shake it." You won't be sorry.
Then I do a lot of napping and some cooking, and I went to Busch Gardens the other day cuz it's super close by! Anyway, basically Virginia is amazing (other than accidentally driving THROUGH Washington D.C. on the way down here because my GPS is the WORST) and I am greatly enjoying my time here.
Kay, I've gushed enough for the time being. All for now. :) TALKTOYOULATERLOVEYOUBYE!!
Kay, I've gushed enough for the time being. All for now. :) TALKTOYOULATERLOVEYOUBYE!!
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