Now that the final installment of the Indiana Jones movie franchise is showing in theatres, I am sure some are confused about what archaeologists actually do. Fist fights? Treasure hunting? Solving riddles? Motorcycle chases?
I hope I am not bursting anyone’s bubble … I haven’t had a fistfight at a dig yet. Van chases? Maybe. Motorcycle chases? Never.
Indiana Jones is quite an adventurer, but he is a terrible archaeologist. His views on artifacts were outdated, even for the 1930s. I have never seen him lift a trowel or move any dirt. Still, I love the character and appreciate the attention the movies have brought to archaeology. Indiana Jones makes this dirty job look glamorous. As an archaeologist who has been digging in Israel since 2011, I assure you that the work is anything but glamorous.
I wanted to provide a brief sketch of the average dig day. I hope to pull back the fedora and whip up some proper information about archaeology.
Dig Days*
4:00 a.m.
The alarm breaks the silence of a simple but comfortable guestroom. It’s time to make coffee, eat a bowl of cereal and a carton of yogurt, and get dressed for a long day. Just before walking out the door, I grab several bottles of water and apply a coat of sunscreen.
4:45 a.m.
After a quick trip to the makeshift “dig office” in a conference room at the guesthouse (to pick up the record-keeping iPad, a total station, and a couple of jerry cans of water, we head to the vans. We leave for the tel at 5:00 a.m.
5:30 a.m.
We have secured our tools (trowels, picks, dustpans, brushes, hoes, a wheelbarrow, and buckets) from the dig tent at the site and have raised the shade cloth over our area. We are ready to dig. The area and assistant supervisors are busy setting up the total station, opening baskets (the buckets we use to collect pottery), and giving instructions. As the volunteers begin digging, the supervisors take levels with the total station and spend lots of time on the iPad, inputting important data. The supervisors have reminded everyone to drink water at least three times. The supervisors teach a bit of archaeology technique as time allows.
7:15 a.m.
The dig directors visit the area and discuss the progress and plans with the area supervisors. The area supervisors and the directors have significant dialogue, and sometimes, plans change based on what has been found. This is when we begin to encounter pests and animal life. At Tel Hadid, its usually just bugs. At Tel Gezer, it was bugs, lizards, slugs, and snakes (Snakes, Why did it have to be snakes). The supervisors repeat their catchphrase, “Remember … drink water.” Side note … Indiana Jones drinks, but I don’t think it’s water.
8:30 a.m.
Cookie break. Cookie break comes at just the right time. Everyone is getting pretty tired, and the break does wonders. The break is almost free of archaeology talk … this is team-building time. We mainly talk about life and get to know each other.
9:30 a.m.
Second breakfast is the most extended break at the dig site. Everyone leaves their excavation area and returns to the “dig tent” – the central gathering place at the site. The meal includes eggs, yogurt, cheese, vegetables, tuna, olives, chips, honey, jam, and luncheon meats. The strong coffee and tea help the team reenergize for the rest of the day. Announcements are made, and birthdays are celebrated.
10:15 a.m.
The teams return to their areas, reapply sunscreen, and return to work. Supervisors reset the total station and spend more time typing on the iPad.
11:30 a.m.
Watermelon break can’t come soon enough. By 11:30, the sun is baking, and temperatures are rising. The team has moved countless buckets of dirt and rocks from the site. Again, talk is rarely about archaeology during the watermelon break. Frequent laughs and serious talk usually mark the time. The supervisors conclude the time with a pep talk about finishing strong.
12:50 p.m.
The last stretch is the hardest. Volunteers are reminded to drink water over and over again. By 12:50, the team has packed their supplies, lowered their shade cloth, and headed back to the dig tent to pack up the dig trailer.
1:15 p.m.
The teams load the vans and leave the tel at 1:15 p.m. You would think that the days would be complete … but it isn’t. I have seen many a digger fall asleep on that ride back to the guesthouse.
2:00ish p.m.
When everyone arrives back at the guesthouse, it is time for pottery wash. Unlike in the Indiana Jones franchise, the things we find are covered with much more than a thin layer of dust. We have to really wash and scrub each pottery sherd with a small brush.
2:45 p.m.
Lunch.
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Showers and rest
5:30 p.m.
The teams (especially volunteers and students) head to academic lectures. Supervisors often teach during these lectures. Sometimes the supervisors (who aren’t teaching) use this time to analyze data, draw top plans, and plan for the next day.
7:00 p.m.
Dinner
8:00 p.m.
Staff meeting for supervisors and directors.
8:30 p.m.
Supervisors have time for office work if needed.
9-10:00 p.m.
At some point, everyone leaves the dig office to sleep for a few hours.
I hope you have enjoyed this insider’s look at a dig day … even if it involved throwing a little shade(cloth) at Indiana Jones.
*This represents the Sunday through Wednesday schedule at our dig. On Thursdays, our work day ends after pottery wash.
garydmyers.com 