August 11th, 2009

Tuesday

Aug. 11, 2009

So far, for the last two days, we’ve been dumpster-diving. I wonder what the people who lived at the site would say if they saw us digging up their discarded pots, glasses, and other cookware. The group (about 40 students and 10 leaders) is divided into “trenches” or areas. The other trenches have other parts of what used to be a temple area, but our section was apparently a former trash can. The advantage of that, though, is that there are plenty of artifacts. Most are broken and in tiny fragments, but sometimes we find a rim or a base or a handle and that’s fairly interesting. What’s surprising to me is that there’s little care as to what is kept. In fact, about 90% of the artifacts that we find are thrown out either immediately or after they’ve been looked at by the analyst, Marco.

The main purpose that most artifacts have here are for dating. Architectural stuff is the most important, it seems, since we really just want to know what the buildings were used for and when they were built. When I asked about the practice of throwing away so much stuff, it was explained to me that Italy is so full of ancient artifacts – most of it the equivalent of Tupperware – that it’s not necessary to keep everything that is unearthed. Only whole/mostly whole pieces or rare ones are necessary. Pieces with rims, edges, markings, or letters are kept as well. At first I was shocked at the frequent disposal of artifacts, but after only two days here, I can see why it’s essential. Just from one layer of one trench from one site, there would be enough pottery to fill the bed of a one-ton truck if we kept it all.

After the dig today, Sarah (one of my friends from UA) and I went to buy a cell phone for when I’m here. It’s a cute little thing, and very basic. So far it has 5Euro of minutes on it. I plan on using it for emergencies, so far, and maybe for more when semester starts. It does feel good to have something to use here, though. Hopefully I won’t need it much, but if I do, I have it.

When we were done with that, we went back up to Orvieto (the shop was just outside the “funiculare” or tram up to the city). We walked around, bought gelato, and asked about events for this weekend. It’s a huge holiday for the Italians around here, and it’s called Ferreagosto. Some places like Sienna have horse races, where the first horse to finish wins (the rider can fall off, but as long as the horse finishes, it’s declared the winner). Each neighborhood sponsors a horse and rider for their towns race, and the usual competitive ideas and pride (and betting) ensue.

After town, we came back to the dig house for dinner of fish, potatoes, and some sort of omelette dish. At every meal, there is wine and fresh fruit. I always take the fruit, but leave the wine for dinner because I don’t want to get dehydrated.

Today at the dig site was full of picture taking (of the artifacts in the ground) and pottery washing (in the afternoon), so it was an easy day. I’m still pretty tired, though.