Getting Dirty

As an Egyptologist, moving from Egypt to St. Kitts is like getting the mother of all demotions. There is one tiny museum, and the history only goes back in hundreds of years, not several thousands. I just figured I'd miss the hell out of Egypt and all it's awesome history.
I tend to fall ass backwards into all the jobs I've ever had dealing with Egypt. My old graduate advisor hooked me up with my job at the Michael C. Carlos Museum. My boss at the museum got me my job working for Dr. Zahi at the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, and now he's asked me to work on his excavation next January (digging up an 18th Dynasty palace that King Tut may have lived in as a kid. For all the non-nerds out there, it's a huge deal). I have no idea what I will do when I actually have to apply for a job on my own.

Since I have to wait an entire year for that to happen, I figured I'd sit back, relax and continue enjoying my amazing life in the tropics. Part of my awesome life is teaching kids at Ross' Prep school about ancient cultures and archaeology.  They asked if I could take them on an excavation, I told them I would look into it, but didn't think that it would be possible.
Luckily for them, I again stumbled into the perfect situation. With impeccable timing, a friend emailed me a link from the weekly newsletter saying that there was an archaeological field school at Wingfield Estates, site of a 17th centure rum distillery and sugar mill. Well, I called up, got permission to bring not only the kids I teach, but all the kids from 5-8th grades.

Adorable Amatuer Archaeologists

David, the head archaeologist and historian, was great with the kids. He gave us a history of the site, and even let the kids dig. We were told that if we found any pottery or glass sherds to bag them for study. Well, my group was not content with that. We decided to dig in the exact spot where some 200 yr old metals tools could be found. Tools that will be going into the tiny museum I mentioned earlier. It was a huge deal, the kids were crazy excited. I cannot believe how lucky I get sometimes. It's insane. If you want to see more pictures, click here.

Old chain and pick-axe thing they found, along with some old glass.
They told me they figured the blacksmith got drunk alot.

Digging along the wall where we found our buried treasure!

I went back with my friends Steve and Trevor on Thursday to volunteer again. We ended up digging out the old steam engine room from the sugar mill. Steve and Trev said I must be happy to be back "in my element." Sorry boys, I like hot, dry sandy climates. Not muddy, wet, dank, digging. Hell, who am I kidding, it was still awesome. We dug out the old steam engine and found the drainage system. I was filthy and out of my mind happy. Which is unusual since I pretty much hate being dirty.

Digging out the drainage system behind the engine... in a 3 foot space.

Of course, I was even happier when David asked for my contact information so that he could exploit my skills on some of the other dig sites on the island. Hooray! So, maybe I can do some archaeological stuff while I am here. It's just a shame I don't know the first thing about the history of Caribbean sugar cane plantations or rum distilleries. That's a lie, I know a LOT  about local rum. I can't help that it's so delicious.

Sunday was the Super Bowl, and it was an epic match up between the Giants (yay) and the Patriots (boo). Now, when it comes to NYC/Boston match-ups, I prefer to watch the Yankees and the Red Sox. Mainly cause I love the Yankees and I freaking HATE the Sox. (I would say that I bleed grey and navy blue, but that sounds kind of disgusting and implies I have some sort of terrible illness).  I'm not the biggest football fan, but when I watch, the G-men are for me.  So, of course I was cheering for them yesterday. Trevor and Kate, the roomates, are from Boston. We get along famously as long as sports are never brought up. So, they were none to pleased when the Giants beat them... just like last time. I of course gloated, cause I'm a jerk. I love winning.