Humans of the Trench - Part III

Our visiting scholars shared their views of the archaeological dig! We really loved welcoming them on site and were impressed with their hard work and dedication.

Bridgette

1) How has the Berkeley dig surprised you?

The variety of things that can be found has surprised me — yesterday we found animal bone fragments, joints and horse teeth!

2) Have you made any new friends?

Mia and Shauna! We’ll definitely stay in contact and we’re going to friend each other on Facebook.

3) Do you think about archaeology differently now?

Yeah I do - it’s way more tangible now (pun intended).

4) Describe your dig experience in 3 words

Intriguing, useful and teamwork — it’s all about working together.

Amber

1) How has the Berkeley dig surprised you?

I didn’t think I would find bones, so it surprised me that we found pre-Roman animal bones on our first day! And it’s a lot more work than I thought 

2) Have you made any new friends?

Yeah I have - Julia and Dan! Hopefully on social media we’ll stay in contact.

3) Do you think about archaeology differently now?

Not really

4) Describe your dig experience in 3 words

Exhausting, surprising, fun!

Anumta

1) How has the Berkeley dig surprised you?

I’m an anthropology major so this is my first exposure to archaeology. The stories that artefacts reveal is amazing, and it gives a real nuance to understanding British history. It makes the past people who lived here seem a lot more real.

2) Have you made any new friends?

Yeah I have at the dig, yesterday I was sieving with Katie, Alice and Paddy. The students here are really a great group of people.

3) Do you think about archaeology differently now?

I always had a positive perspective of archaeology. Now that I’ve learned about British archaeology, when I do my archaeology course next year at college it’ll be really interesting to compare the US system and the British system.

4) Describe your dig experience in 3 words

Tiring, exciting, interesting 

Natalie

1) How has the Berkeley dig surprised you?

It’s a lot more interactive than I though it would be — it’s great! The community is really lovely.

2) Have you made any new friends?

Julian and I are going to be pen pals!

3) Do you think about archaeology differently now?

Yeah - it’s so cool!

4) Describe your dig experience in 3 words

Rewarding, eye-opening, enlightening 

Ben

1) How has the Berkeley dig surprised you?

I didn’t have any expectations coming in really because I have never experienced a dig. It’s a completely new experience for me. One thing that did surprise me, when Mark was giving us the tour, is that we are digging up ancient history in a place where people lived, and we are discovering their history first-hand. We don’t have that at all in the US!

2) Have you made any new friends?

Yeah! Everyone at the dig is really friendly.

3) Do you think about archaeology differently now?

I think I just have a better understanding of what it is, and appreciate its importance more now.

4) Describe your dig experience in 3 words

Humbling, worthwhile, educational 

John

1) How has the Berkeley dig surprised you?

It was interesting seeing how the archaeologists created a cohesive story out of what looked to me like a pile of rocks!

2) Have you made any new friends?

Yes, 20 new Facebook friends and 1 real life one!

3) Do you think about archaeology differently now?

Finding rare artefacts isn’t as common as I once believed it was and it’s a lot of hard work.

4) Describe your dig experience in 3 words

I love digging

Elizabeth

1) How has the Berkeley dig surprised you?

It’s a lot of work! It’s interesting to see the difference layers of soil which reflect the different time period of history, so you can understanding layer upon layer of archaeology instead of it all clumped into one.

2) Have you made any new friends?

Yeah! I think so… I hope so!

3) Do you think about archaeology differently now?

Yeah because when you hear about archaeology you just imagine finds and discovery but it’s actually a lot of work, for sometimes minimal discovery!

4) Describe your dig experience in 3 words

Unique, interesting, difficult!

Maya

1) How has the Berkeley dig surprised you?

Found a lot more than I expected and I didn’t expect to jump straight into it! It’s really cool.

2) Have you made any new friends?

Yes, a lot, there are a lot of really interesting people here and it has been a great experience for me

3) Do you think about archaeology differently now?

Yes very, I have a lot more respect for archaeology now and it’s really hard work!

4) Describe your dig experience in 3 words

Dirty, deep, fun

Yvonne

1) How has the Berkeley dig surprised you?

The hot British summer is much nicer than I expected!

2) Have you made any new friends?

A couple, some of them took us for cream tea which was so nice and felt very British!

3) Do you think about archaeology differently now?

I have a much deeper understanding of it, and have realised how much of a hands on experience it is.

4) Describe your dig experience in 3 words

Explorative, taxing, collaborative 

Henry

1) How has the Berkeley dig surprised you?

It surprised me how intact walls and remnants of Roman and Post-Roman societies are still in the ground today!

2) Have you made any new friends?

Yes, there are really interesting uni kids here and we have lots in common, but also a lot of difference! It’s really interesting talking to them and seeing what it’s like being an arch and anth student at Bristol.

3) Do you think about archaeology differently now?

It’s a lot more careful analysis and piecing together of evidence than I originally thought and it’s more like solving a puzzle.

4) Describe your dig experience in 3 words

Shovelling, digging, scooping