Third day in Kiangan
By: Cambria Craig
Today we focused on developing our research questions for the papers we will be writing while in the field and laid out mock units in order to acclimate ourselves to the way of the perfect square. I am so thrilled that I can be a part of a research project of this scope that is so holistic in nature and inclusive in demographic. Not a moment passes where I do not feel incredibly grateful to be here. I am enjoying interactions with all the people I am meeting and surrounded by and each new experience is more than noteworthy and memorable.
As we were discussing the research projects that we want to undertake while in the field, I was pleased by the diversity and intensity of questions that my peers have. People are interested in topics that include but are not limited to: archaeological methodologies, disease, burial contexts, mapping, paleoethnobotany, and faunal analysis. This just goes to show how many different topics will be covered by the research. I am anticipating the results that we will find and how they will contribute to the project.
During this discussion, it really resonated with me how diverse our group really is. Not only does everyone have different interests in regards to research but we all come from vastly diverse backgrounds. Within our group are people from all over the globe, different universities, different ages and stages of life, and different exposures to archaeological experience. The fact that we are all here together, collaborating on a project, is incredible to me.
Diversity in any situation, but especially in a research project and field school, is beneficial. By bringing different experiences and backgrounds to the table it is ensured that many different points of view will be considered and brought to view. I noticed this in action as we were setting up our mock units. Some of the people in my group have had lots of experience setting up units and some have had none. It was beneficial to have these different experiences because if someone was having trouble, someone else could jump in and give an un-authoritative voice of guidance and a different point of view. Learning in this collaborative manner from other students is certainly not the only way to go about things but it is definitely beneficial and positive. I was ridiculously rusty with the methods myself and this collaborative experience was good for me. Only with such a diverse group is this type of collaborative learning possible. It was so fun to witness students collaborating with each other to master the basic building block of an archaeological excavation: the unit set-up.
As I pull some unknown bug out of my hair for the 20th time, I am also reminded of the diversity that exists on the island. My research project will focus on the human modifications on faunal remains at Old Kiyyangan Village, our site for the summer, a settlement inhabited by the Ikiangan people that was abandoned as people moved to the present day Kiangan. Coming from a familiarity of California fauna and their typical associated modifications, I am anticipating discovering the ways in which our site resembles and differs from other sites that I have experienced while doing work in California.
I am so excited to continue learning, experiencing, and interacting with our group. I am so thankful for this opportunity to be here and this experience is truly something that I will always value and recall upon in my future endeavors. I can not wait for what more is to come.
By: Cambria Craig
Today we focused on developing our research questions for the papers we will be writing while in the field and laid out mock units in order to acclimate ourselves to the way of the perfect square. I am so thrilled that I can be a part of a research project of this scope that is so holistic in nature and inclusive in demographic. Not a moment passes where I do not feel incredibly grateful to be here. I am enjoying interactions with all the people I am meeting and surrounded by and each new experience is more than noteworthy and memorable.
As we were discussing the research projects that we want to undertake while in the field, I was pleased by the diversity and intensity of questions that my peers have. People are interested in topics that include but are not limited to: archaeological methodologies, disease, burial contexts, mapping, paleoethnobotany, and faunal analysis. This just goes to show how many different topics will be covered by the research. I am anticipating the results that we will find and how they will contribute to the project.
During this discussion, it really resonated with me how diverse our group really is. Not only does everyone have different interests in regards to research but we all come from vastly diverse backgrounds. Within our group are people from all over the globe, different universities, different ages and stages of life, and different exposures to archaeological experience. The fact that we are all here together, collaborating on a project, is incredible to me.
Diversity in any situation, but especially in a research project and field school, is beneficial. By bringing different experiences and backgrounds to the table it is ensured that many different points of view will be considered and brought to view. I noticed this in action as we were setting up our mock units. Some of the people in my group have had lots of experience setting up units and some have had none. It was beneficial to have these different experiences because if someone was having trouble, someone else could jump in and give an un-authoritative voice of guidance and a different point of view. Learning in this collaborative manner from other students is certainly not the only way to go about things but it is definitely beneficial and positive. I was ridiculously rusty with the methods myself and this collaborative experience was good for me. Only with such a diverse group is this type of collaborative learning possible. It was so fun to witness students collaborating with each other to master the basic building block of an archaeological excavation: the unit set-up.
As I pull some unknown bug out of my hair for the 20th time, I am also reminded of the diversity that exists on the island. My research project will focus on the human modifications on faunal remains at Old Kiyyangan Village, our site for the summer, a settlement inhabited by the Ikiangan people that was abandoned as people moved to the present day Kiangan. Coming from a familiarity of California fauna and their typical associated modifications, I am anticipating discovering the ways in which our site resembles and differs from other sites that I have experienced while doing work in California.
I am so excited to continue learning, experiencing, and interacting with our group. I am so thankful for this opportunity to be here and this experience is truly something that I will always value and recall upon in my future endeavors. I can not wait for what more is to come.
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