It's been something like 15 years now. Hmm, maybe 16. When the snow finally melts here in Wisconsin I'm off for my annual archaeology trip overseas. In 2020 nobody went anywhere. In 2021 the Covid restrictions were almost, but not quite eased up enough to travel. And one year I went on a dig in Belgium.
Otherwise its the usual gig, digging Roman sites along Hadrian's Wall.
Of course at first the big draw is the thrill of discovery. Your first pottery shard (that usually happens on Day One of your rookie season!). Your first coin. The first time you get to dig down in the anaerobic layers where everything - wood, leather, horse manure, etc - is preserved as in an 18 century old time capsule.
But after a while your priorities change. You just enjoy the sunshine. And the chance to re-visit places you've been before and had great fun. I have my once a year helping of Sticky Toffee Pudding.
And I get to see my digging pals. I've written about them in the past, often dubbing our little cohort "The Anaerobes" in the fashion of a sketchy garage band. Here's some of them in their Natural Environments. The first day of Vindolanda excavations is today. I'll see you all in a few weeks.....
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