When I arrived a bit after 7:00 this morning, it was enormously comfortable in terms of temperature compared to Monday. Then, again, that may have had something to do with the pouring rain.
Archaeology -- like any other occupation that requires work in the "out of doors" -- requires practicioners to play the cards that nature deals. Unlike many traditional college classes where a day of rain may just mean an uncomfortable walk from the parking lot, our class has to manage an 8-hour class day. And, the summer field course is also an experiential learning course -- designed to expose students to the "real world" of archaeological fieldwork. Not just a picture of it on a screen in a classroom. Our course is not exactly the same as working as an archaeological field technician -- but it is a lot closer than just sitting on campus.
Like the real world, our project also has a deadline for completion. While earlier in the project we might have just taken the day off and worked in the lab, we are now pinched for time to finish up our tasks. It was an uncomfortable day -- we worked through the constant showers, dodged the harder rains as best we could, and completed quite a bit of work before closing up. We can't begrudge the rain -- it was much needed by the farmers and folks that live in Castalian Springs. Many a crop was saved by the rain today. Like the farmers, we wish it had happened a couple of weeks ago though!
Only a few photos for today -- the rain disagrees with my digital camera... Below, the students form several "bucket brigades" bailing the water from our plastic so we can open up the units.
I must compliment our student crew -- they understand how much "stuff" we need to finish in the next few days and chipped in despite being soaked multiple times without complaint. Many of them have volunteered to come out on Saturday after the class is officially over and help finish up if needed. Our field class is not simply about "class starts on June 6 and ends on July 7" -- it is also about 20 folks learning to work together as a team, knowing the goals, recognizing the obstacles like today's rain, and figuring out what we need to do to finish up ahead of the game. Sometimes, it's about patiently holding an umbrella over the head of your crewmate in the middle of a field in the pouring rain so their paperwork doesn't get wet while your other crewmate takes measurements.
As we packed up -- after being soaked for the 5th or 6th time -- everyone remained in good spirits. But, we're all ready for promised better weather on Thursday and Friday.
On Thursday, we'll be focusing our efforts on finishing up "Feature 4" (our big circular pit/structure) and the wall-trench house.