Archaeology Digs

As many of you may now I applied to be part of an Archaeological Dig run by a professor through a school in New York at Petra. 

Petra, Jordan 30.3285° N, 35.4444° E is exactly 6,776 miles from Vancouver, British Colombia. It is also considered as one of the Wonders of the Modern World. Having studied archaeology in class, each one has been based on readings from text books about sites that seem very far away from our class room in the Pacific North West. I have also had many amazing opportunities to experience first nations cultures of Western Canada, and especially those located directly around our campus. MOA, the Museum of Anthropology on UBC’s campus specializes in indigenous history and studies. These experiences and views have sculpted my education so far, and I would love to diversify my views during my trip around the world. 

Description: Petra (Jordan) Copyright: © Editions Gelbart

Author: Jean-Jacques Gelbart (From UNESCO website)

Petra Jordan is seen by most people as an exotic archaeological site made up of beautiful pink, intricately carved buildings. However, I am more interested in the people who lived there. What their day to day life was like, what they experienced and how their cultures developed. This program is specifically looking at the tombs and domestic structures to gain a picture into the lives of these ordinary people. Surrounded by the Byzantine Churches and magnificent tomb facades, Petra has a story to tell of the people that built and lived in this site, but it is buried under layers of sandstone.

Working on a field school site also provides the experience of actually helping write and explore history. It not only brings to life all the methods and history that I have learned about in my classes, but it allows me to have a hand in discovering the history of people who walked millions of years ago. The world has come a long way since the 1^st-4^th century AD and having a greater appreciation for the lengths that humans have come technologically and culturally is important for understanding our modern society as well. I couldn't imagine being the first to see something after over 2000 years of it being buried underground. 

HOWEVER, after all that, the program was canceled and changed due to unrest in the Middle East and Jordan. When they changed where the field school would take place, the dates did not work with when I have available. I have looked at many other options and am keeping my schedule open for something that might fit in.

I want to make sure that this trip is not only travel and that I feel as if I am doing something with my time. A few of the things I am now thinking of doing is visiting as many archeological sites as possible, Petra included, as well the Rock Hewn Churches in Ethiopia and Roman sites throughout Italy. I as well am looking into volunteering at different wildlife conservation reserves. I will also potentially be working for 2 or 3 weeks at a time in hostels around the world to help cover costs.