“I hunt for objects made by men” – An archaeologist’s day in the field
A letter from Turkey. In which is reported an archaeologist’s daily field routine at the excavation.
South-eastern Turkey, spring of 2014
when you asked me about what we are actually doing here at the excavation all day, I could not help but think of Agatha Christie Mallowan’s “Come, Tell Me How You Live” (the title of this letter directly deriving from a poem in the short epilogue of her book). This ‘Archaeological Memoir’ published in 1946 gives an account of her days in the field together with her husband Max Mallowan (an esteemed British colleague and the excavator of Tell Brak, Tell Arpachiyah, among other sites) describing the daily routine of an archaeological excavation. It is a very entertaining, a witty and spirited little book; one I’d definitely recommend if you didn’t read it already. Christie Mallowan (indeed identical to the well-known crime novelist you just may have thought of) slipped quite some of these archaeological adventures and experiences into her better known ‘Whodunnits’: “Murder on the Orient Express” (from 1934) and “Death on the Nile” (1937) evocating long and colourful journeys to these sites and “Murder in Mesopotamia” (1936) even depiciting an extraordinary dramatically case of ‘excavation fever’ – not at all unknown to those who can relate such a situation (minus the murder though, of course).
But I’m digressing again. So, what did I want to say, well write? Ah yes, that ‘average’ day in the field thing. Well, grab a hat and some tea – we’re starting early …
4.30 o’clock to be precise. Ante meridiem. Definitely too early for an honest “Good morning!” not pressed through clenched teeth. It’s still dark outside, the dim light barely enough to distinguish a black thread from a white one: The muezzin just called the faithful to prayer and, probably unintentionally, the archaeologists to finally get up as well. Breakfast at such an early hour basically consists of not more than some strong tea, a slice of soft white bread (which will be rather dry within the hour), and a handful of olives – taken in the quiet and still fresh morning air of the excavation house’s courtyard in the light of setting stars and a single light bulb. Actually, it’s too early for an honest breakfast too.
The next 20 minutes or so expedition’s staff is silently gathering over tea and bread in dining room and yard, before it is time to finally leave. For work. On leaving the historic oriental brick-house in the old part of this eastern Anatolian town, everyone grabs a piece of equipment or provisions for the day to come and one after another heads through the narrow alleys towards the waiting mini bus and driver. A 20-minutes-ride through yet still abandoned streets lies ahead – to the excavation site outside and beyond town. The last chance for a nap.
As we arrive on site, somewhere up in the mountains, a pale moon is still hanging around a sky only slowly changing from black to blue. Groups of local workmen just arrived minutes before by tractor from a village down the hill. Still dressed in coats and cardigans against the morning coolth, they are waiting for day’s work to start while the bunch of students and scientists are collecting tools and instruments, equipment and journals. Finally, first light is sounding the bell for the workday to start as a still shy sun is hesitantly peeking above the eastern horizon. Workmen and archaeologists alike are heading to the excavation trenches, a caravan of shovels and buckets, of head-scarves and hats. Everyone knows his place and assignment; gangs finding together following a long-established system (and dare you trying to change this!): There’s two diggers, a shoveller, and two basket-carriers. Always. All of them accompanied by a student ready to lable, note, and measure any find of interest they may unearth.
Soon the air is filled with the sound of pickaxes and of chanting and laughing workmen; their bright purple headscarves fluttering in a breeze. Soil is shifted, rocks are moved. Basket after basket of debris is brought out of the trenches. As the dust of history is slowly removed, the ancient remains are rising gradually: Boulders, slabs, and walls pulled back into present-daylight. Slowly the earth is releasing those secrets of the past it was keeping for so many years. For centuries. For millennia.
And so business is going on. And on. The dusty work only interrupted by a short breakfast. Children from the nearby village are coming around, bringing their fathers and uncles and brothers some food and cool water. Everyone’s hungry – and more lively – by now, so this breakfast is a much more substantial and communicative matter than the sparse and mute one in the very morning: Over yet another tea (there’s always tea, better get used to it), over some cheese and flatbread, over tomatoes and cucumbers and olives, conversations are drifting around the table for half an hour of otiosity. Half an hour of lethargic rest in the shadows; the sun – not shy at all anymore – now showing its true nature, relentlessly burning down from a shimmering sky. There’s no other shadow out there, so returning to work means returning into the heat of a furnace.
Back in the dust soon the clanking of picks loosening dirt and rubble can be heard. A group of visitors, marvelling at the site’s sight, takes the chance curiously quizzing the archaeologists before returning to their air-conditioned busses. Workmen continue to dig; students still are busily taking notes, picking out small pieces of charcoal and fragments of flint tools and stone vessels from the excavated soil, collecting them in buckets and plastic bags – each labelled with date and information on their exact find spot. Two workers are intently hauling a large sculpture to the edge of an excavation trench. Dirt is sifted dry and wet (a rather dusty respectively muddy business); a steady flow of find material is coming towards provisional lab and office facilities in the excavation’s ‘headquarters’ of construction containers and tents upon the next hill crest – eagerly awaited by the specialists, keen to have a look onto the latest piece of obsidian or the peculiar amazing new stone sculpture.
While the sun is moving towards its zenith, work’s pace is decreasing noticeably. It’s an arduous business and after eight hours of digging, just when midday’s heat is reaching its peak, everyone is happy to call it a (field) day. Last measurements are taken and yelled and noted down, last photos are taken too; tools and instruments, equipment and journals are collected and put away yet again. Bidding good bye, the crew of workmen is boarding tractors and trailers, leaving for that small village down the hill – dragging behind a dustcloud all the way. Buckets full of small finds are loaded into the mini bus and taken to the excavation house. As the bus is slowly crawling down the dirt track everyone’s trying to find a comfortable position, finally taking another short rest – legs stretched, the dusty hat pulled down over the eyes. With the madness of an average oriental big city’s rush hour the drive back costs a multiple of the time the way there in morning did took us – enough time for a nap also. Appreciated.
Back in town, as we leave the car and head through heated-up narrow old-town alleys towards the excavation house – buckets and pieces of equipment in hand – the muezzin is calling the faithful to prayer again. Well, for the archaeologists it’s lunchtime for now; the cook is already waiting. Of course a meal in the Orient is not finished without the mandatory tea (you get the idea), so showers still have to wait for yet another 10 minutes or so. There’s got to be time for that, wouldn’t you agree?
But even now work isn’t done yet for the day. After the refreshing effect of a shower (and fresh clothes; don’t you ever underestimate the effect of fresh clothes!), everyone’s gathering in the excavation house’s courtyard – yet again. The buckets brought back from site are emptied, the finds carefully cleaned and washed, sorted, and spread onto coarse screens to let them dry in the sun. Meanwhile those finds of the day before, now all clean and dry and pretty, are examined, sorted, listed, catalogued, drawn and photographed (where necessary). Let alone the paperwork. Field notes and reports. Accounting and administration. More reports.
Over are the times where an expedition to the middle of nowhere, far from home, office, and institute meant one wouldn’t be on call. In the age of globalization, mobile communication, and wifi even in the back of beyond, everyone’s expecting to receive an answer to e-mail, text, and phone call – preferably within the hour.
The darkness of night has already fallen (summer over here almost skipping the twilight of dusk), the muezzin has called the faithful to prayer one last time for today. Over dinner, some conversation and – finally – a beer or glass of wine, another day’s slowly facing its end in the dim evening light of the excavation house’s courtyard. Sooner or later everyone’s pushing off; it’s not going to be a very long night … about 4.30 o’clock – ante meridiem – the muezzin will call the faithful to prayer again. And the archaeologists to finally get up. Again.
Sounds all like ‘fortune and glory’, my friend, doesn’t it?
Featured on WordPress.com Freshly Pressed on May 25th 2015.
Letters From The Field 
Ah, this is lovely. Thank you for bringing us along on a typical day for an archaeologist. Your regular reminders of chai and calls to prayer brought back memories of my time in Turkey. Though only a tourist, I grew to love the things I could count on after two weeks in that remarkable country. Your photos are so good.
Oh yes, it’s all about chai and taking the time to enjoy it, right? ;-) Thanks a lot for your kind words and compliments for the photos. Glad, I could bring back memories.
I mentioned ordering tea in Turkey in this post… https://crystaltrulove.wordpress.com/2007/08/12/lavas-rytas/
How wonderful and evocative! I’ve passed by many archaeological excavations on my travels (like those tourists but largely without the air-conditioned buses) and I’ve often wondered what a day’s work is like.
I’m also fascinated by Agatha Christie’s trips out to the near East, I don’t think I’ve read that memoir though, I’ll hunt it out!
Thanks; and just for the record: no hard feelings towards visiting tourists (or their air-conditioned busses). It’s always great to see that one’s work is appreciated and found of interest. Happy, you enjoyed reading about the rather dusty days in the field. Keep visiting digs and sites (but don’t pet or feed the archaeologists ;-) ).
Hahaha! I’m always fascinated by the work going on, and the hot, dusty conditions being worked in!
Funny that you mentioned Agatha Christie in the end, because I expected (throughout the post) you to say “and then comes Hercule Poirot”! I love odd characters (especially if played by David Suchet). I like how you make this sound like another day at the office (including the so familiar nap during the commute), except your “office” is far more interesting than what most people are used to. I know this reality quite well (I have a couple of archaeologist friends who once did some field work too, but now moved on to other careers) and I also know that excitement of uncovering History. It has to be for the passion doesn’t it?
Glad you enjoyed reading this little episode – thanks a lot for your kind words.
And you’re absolutely right: If not about passion, about what then? One surely’s got to love this kind of work and career to justify being away from home, family, and friends for weeks and even months and to work up to 14 hours a day, six days a week. Complaining? Not at all. In the end, this is exactly the kind of job I always imagined. ;-)
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Wow this is amazing, appreciate the post!
Thank you, appreciating you taking the time reading.
Oh how that makes me wish to travel…
I wanted to be an archeologist when I was younger. I was told there wasn’t anything left to discover =\
I guess one day i’ll just have to travel and see it all myself
Thanks for stoppy by! And let me assure you, there’s still plenty of the past to discover, a lot of questions to be answered. I agree on the ‘travel and see the world’ attitude! Don’t wait too long, though: http://nicoletteorlemans.com/2015/02/10/8-great-travel-bloggers-share-their-travel-advice.
I don’t plan on it- my fiance and I already plan on traveling this late summer (if we can arrange everything)
Reblogged this on Tana Daily Telegraph and commented:
An incredible post that says everything about patience, optimism, and resilience required in the quest to unravel and understand better the human mind and history. Thank you for sharing these remarkable insights from an archaeologist’s ‘binoculars’.
Reblogged this on khedaperalta.
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This is so fascinating! I’m glad I stumbled onto this article!
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A beautiful piece of descriptive writing . It takes you to the fields . One can experience the thrill of working through the mud piles and eventually finding the success. A routine day but a day with outcomes!!
Thank you for your kind comment, too!
Ok
Now this was a good read, anthropology of archaeology. How much do you pay to the local workmen? I really envy you your job, so interesting, search, drawing, easter eggs everywhere. What is awaiting me? A better job at my office? I will soon move to live there, but it would not be worth writing about it (at least I can read about other people’s interesting lives haha).
Umm, did I hear chai and Turkiye? Sign me up.
Love this one.
Reblogged this on Sans Yoktur.
yes, in good comment
Reblogged this on BRECHA DE APRENDIZAJE and commented:
arengar en las profundidades de la tierra, es como buscar el corazon del pasado. marquezgerardo305.wordpress.com
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Great to read your blog archaelogical Cowboy-love your logo picture!
Good gracious! Interest exploded on your post today. That is wonderful and fascinating. Your post certainly warrants the attention, but I am so curious about what just happened. :-)
….oh! ha ha!! On a hunch I checked Freshly Pressed, and there you are. Bravo! And congratulations!
Thank you! Was quite surprised myself. Yes, definitely has to do with being featured in ‘freshly pressed’. ;-)
You gave a real feel of hunt of archaeology ….Hats off.
Thanks, but the hat stays on. :-p ;-)
I’m not so good English we use colloquially like that so. or i can say I tip my hat to you. My Hat is off to respect you yours stay on ;)
Oh no, don’t worry – the phrase was perfectly understandable. I was just trying to be funny. Somehow. ;-)
Reblogged this on matangala.
You’ve turned day to day basis of exhausting archaeological searches under the burning sun into a poetic literature. Don’t get me wrong, archaeology fascinates me as well! And I love Agatha Christie novels too. Were you there for a mission or just being an observer?
Thank you for this kind compliment. I’m a researcher in this project and staff member in the excavations, so was there indeed ‘on mission’. I’m that handsome (*cough*) guy with the stone head in one of the pictures above.
wow… so you’re an archaeologist? one thing i forgot asking you that the illustration on your post is your own drawing, right?
Yes, I am. And indeed – if not stated otherwise, these are my own photos and sketches.
Kudos for your illustration, you’re a talented one!
Thank you!
Reblogged this on The GOOD NORN and commented:
Now this is absolutely something I will spend the rest of my life, gearing up to do!
This was one amazing read. Thank you ever so much.
Oh, you’re welcome. And thank you for taking the time to comment and share. Glad, you liked this post.
:) No worries at all, I really did
Reblogged this on lwngjoseph.
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Wow. This is so interesting. I hope you don’t minding me “re blogging” this. Thank you. Loved Agatha Christie ref. ccr
Not at all; I’m glad, you liked it. Thanks!
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Reblogged this on dailynewsanalysisdna and commented:
Amazing writing keep it up man !!!!!!
Reblogged this on kernaghanassociates and commented:
Those fascinating history diggers… How much more of the world remains to be discovered?
Loved iy
Reblogged this on charles rogers home page and commented:
I love armchair archaeology. This is a very nice report.
Thanks a lot; glad you enjoyed it.
Very interesting read
Great enjoyed it
I am from Turkey and i like your comment for Turkey.
Teşekkür ederim!
Well done a very thorough reflection! Loved all your images too! :)
Thank you as well!
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What I wouldn’t give to trade in my cubicle for a sweaty day’s work diggin in the dirt! Thanks for sharing.
Well … actually, you could: http://digs.bib-arch.org or http://www.ubarchaeologist.com/Volunteer-Digs.html are just two of quite some opportunities out there. ;-)
OH BOY! MUAHAHAHAHAH (My poor hubby. LOL)
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Turkey is a very pretty country!!!
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