Lorena D’Urzo, CSU-Chico
June 25, 2016
Today was the first day that we began excavating the Old Kiyyangan site. We separated into four groups and began mapping out our 1X1M units. This is done so that we can fully see and make note of everything that is being found within our units and the region that we are trying to understand as a whole. Each group was able to find ceramic sherds and a few found some fauna. Each group was also able to learn how to use the Trimble, which is basically a GPS system that graphs out the areas using the satellites. Overall, It was a great first day, most of the students who were accepted into the field school have never actually done field work. The only bad thing was because we are working in rice terraces, a lot of the soil is wet and makes it very hard to walk in, so a lot of the time we were sinking in and getting muddy (which comes with the job). What was wonderful about today is being able to go out and learn the right way to measure out our units and the right ways to use a trowel, and shifter was really great and will come in handy for future jobs. Now for those who do not know, a trowel is an archaeologists best friend, without it we would not get anything in the field, it is our chosen tool. What also made today so great was the team units were able to not only become closer but understand how each other works and the good/bad things about working with each other.
Even though we were not supposed to start excavating where we did, we made it work and did a great job. But that is what we signed up for as future archaeologist/ anthropologist, things will come up and change all the things that we had planned to do. Hopefully things will continue to go well and we can continue to discover more of what the rice fields have to offer us.
Once we were done we headed back to the house. The way back was a little harder because of our muddy shoes, but we were able to make it back home with everyone in one piece. Being the first day, everyone was a little bit on the tired side, and just wanted to rest. That was until the rain began, now being from California we get ran, but nothing like this. It is cold rain that will pour done on you, and the best part about it was when a bunch of the Graduates and undergrads starting to shower in it (fully dressed of course). It was one of the best things I have ever done, I never thought that showering in the rain could be so fun and lively, an experience that I probably would have never experienced.
So far this has been an amazing field school, not only have I gotten to experience a wonderful place. But I have learned so much about the Philippines, the people here are great and even though the driving is crazy I am really glad I decided to come here. Not only that, all the people in the field school have been so incredibly, the faculty mentors that decided to come and help out, have so much to teach us and have been showing me that archaeology is what I want to do with my life. Even though the field work can be rigorous and the conditions cannot be that great, you learn to deal with it and actually enjoy what you are doing. It does help when you are working with a great team as well. I hope that others will choice to do a field school, and it would be even better if they chose to do it in the Philippines, because there is a lot to learn about all the different regions and provinces in the Philippines.
June 25, 2016
Today was the first day that we began excavating the Old Kiyyangan site. We separated into four groups and began mapping out our 1X1M units. This is done so that we can fully see and make note of everything that is being found within our units and the region that we are trying to understand as a whole. Each group was able to find ceramic sherds and a few found some fauna. Each group was also able to learn how to use the Trimble, which is basically a GPS system that graphs out the areas using the satellites. Overall, It was a great first day, most of the students who were accepted into the field school have never actually done field work. The only bad thing was because we are working in rice terraces, a lot of the soil is wet and makes it very hard to walk in, so a lot of the time we were sinking in and getting muddy (which comes with the job). What was wonderful about today is being able to go out and learn the right way to measure out our units and the right ways to use a trowel, and shifter was really great and will come in handy for future jobs. Now for those who do not know, a trowel is an archaeologists best friend, without it we would not get anything in the field, it is our chosen tool. What also made today so great was the team units were able to not only become closer but understand how each other works and the good/bad things about working with each other.
Even though we were not supposed to start excavating where we did, we made it work and did a great job. But that is what we signed up for as future archaeologist/ anthropologist, things will come up and change all the things that we had planned to do. Hopefully things will continue to go well and we can continue to discover more of what the rice fields have to offer us.
Once we were done we headed back to the house. The way back was a little harder because of our muddy shoes, but we were able to make it back home with everyone in one piece. Being the first day, everyone was a little bit on the tired side, and just wanted to rest. That was until the rain began, now being from California we get ran, but nothing like this. It is cold rain that will pour done on you, and the best part about it was when a bunch of the Graduates and undergrads starting to shower in it (fully dressed of course). It was one of the best things I have ever done, I never thought that showering in the rain could be so fun and lively, an experience that I probably would have never experienced.
So far this has been an amazing field school, not only have I gotten to experience a wonderful place. But I have learned so much about the Philippines, the people here are great and even though the driving is crazy I am really glad I decided to come here. Not only that, all the people in the field school have been so incredibly, the faculty mentors that decided to come and help out, have so much to teach us and have been showing me that archaeology is what I want to do with my life. Even though the field work can be rigorous and the conditions cannot be that great, you learn to deal with it and actually enjoy what you are doing. It does help when you are working with a great team as well. I hope that others will choice to do a field school, and it would be even better if they chose to do it in the Philippines, because there is a lot to learn about all the different regions and provinces in the Philippines.
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