Dig Background

By on October 5, 2007 in Europe, Spain

I realize now that I haven’t quite given any background information on the dig yet, so here it goes. The dig is run each year by the EcoMuseu de Cap de Cavalleria in Santa Teresa, Menorca. The site is that of a Roman Fort, dated from years 123-45 BC. So far, all that is left to dig is the trench that usually surrounds the fort, which will give us both the shape and size of the fort, as well as the entrances.

You might be thinking this sounds boring – digging out the trench – but let me tell you it is very interesting. There is a significant find in this fort since it is not the standard “perfect” rectangle pattern the Romans were known for. Because of this, we are not sure yet where this piece of trench goes (we are still digging out top layers and looking for the cut). They also have not found any entrance ways. This gets more interesting in the fact that the Romans insisted on filling in the trench with whatever items they had around so that other people couldn’t come along and use their hard work to their advantage. So, we could find lots of interesting items when we get deeper in. So far we have found pottery shards (Amphora), lead shots (sling shot bullets), bones (not human), and bronze nails. It is all very exciting!

We get up early to go dig – this is me:
Brooke on Bed

This is Doris:
Doris

This is our dig site:
dig site with rainbow

Jeff with metal detector:
jeff with detector

Marking pottery on the terrace:
marking pottery

Church behind the EcoMuseu:
small church

British Fort and rainbow in the distance from dig site:
fort and rainbow

About Brooke

Brooke is a passionate traveler who has a love for any country that ends in -stan, languages she'll never be able to speak, and cannoli. She is the creator of the female travel focused FTU Newsletter and Her Packing List website. Follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.
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6 Responses to Dig Background

  1. Shay December 24, 2010 at 2:02 am #

    how did you hear of this opportunity and how did you get into it? Did you have any prior dig experience? I would love love love to do something similar once I start my travels :)

    Reply
    • Brooke December 24, 2010 at 12:01 pm #

      Hi Shay! No experience! I found it through the Archaeological Institute of America’s website — they list fieldwork opportunities, and if you need experience or not. You have to pay, though, to take part, but it’s an interesting opportunity! http://www.archaeological.org/fieldwork

      Reply
  2. Shay December 25, 2010 at 1:16 pm #

    Thank you so much! I was going to do an Anthropology major just so I could do that, but apparently it is hard to find work for it. This website will be a lifesaver :)

    Reply

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