Archaeological Vacations

Lesson 2: What Can I Do

Duration

Archaeological excavations can last for a few days to several months. On long digs, shifts are variable. Some excavations and most field schools only run during the week. Others excavations have shifts of 10-14 days with 2-4 days off between shifts. Still other digs run continuously to the end of the project, often several months.

As a volunteer you can often choose when and how long you wish to volunteer. However, it may be useful to know when the dig started and how long the staff have been out on the project. The first week or two of an excavation is generally relaxed. Mistakes are often expected and therefore the patience level of the supervisor is high.

Conversely, the last week of a dig is exciting and pressure filled. Often, the staff is busy unraveling mistakes from previous excavators and trying to complete the project on time. Therefore, patience levels will be low and there will be less time to teach volunteers.

Likewise, especially if shifts are long, volunteering at the end of a work shift won't be as enjoyable as volunteering at the beginning of a work shift. Frustration, fatigue, and anticipation set in near the end of the work shift. Rested staff are more likely to patiently answer your questions and share your enthusiasm.

An archaeological day lasts anywhere from 8-14 hours per day. The start of this day will vary with the climate and number of daylight hours. In archaeological projects where time is an issue, excavation may start at sunrise and end just after sunset. In areas where the temperatures are extremely hot, digging usually starts at sunrise and ends in the early afternoon before the hottest part of the day. Many of these excavations continue after the heat of the day has subsided.

One word about bathroom facilities. Some archaeological excavations will provide bathroom facilities. However, more often than not, there will be no bathroom facilities. In this case, usually areas are designated for use. Flag systems and specific areas for girls and boys may also be set up.

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