(The landscape here is very similar to southern California. Both Cyprus and SoCal are considered "mediterranean" climates).
Our area of research is a hilltop outside the city of Larnaca on Cyprus. There is a ton of material evidence of past settlements simply laying on the ground.
These are pottery shards. They're over a thousand years old and they're brought up to the surface by farmers plowing their fields for agricultural use. Under these fields there used to be a settlement during several periods, possibly ranging from the 300's BC to the 600's AD.
The professors laid grids out on the site using GPS and computers. We then walk the field taking samples of the different kinds of pottery we find. Dr. Moore, our ciramicist, examines the pottery shards to determing their type of use (for storage, cooking, or fineware for eating) and their age. The data is compiled on a computer and laid out in terms of density. From this data we can deduce the size of the settlement, its function, and its connection with the greater eastern Mediterranean.
This is an example of an exceptional find. The decorations aid in the dating and use of the piece. I'm not sure what this particular one is; I don't think the professors have come to any conclusions yet, either.
The area we're surveying is on a British army base; it's actually the hinterland of their firing range. While they haven't done any shelling in the area for many years, we're still careful not to grab at any strange looking metal objects.
Well, that's all from this side of the world. Hope all is well, and I'll post next time something interesting happens.
8 comments:
Yay you updated! I'm glad to see you have your shirt off...you're gonna be nice and dark when you get back...Miss you
Are your pictures taken with Jeff's camera... if so, pretty good. Can't believe that stuff is just sitting around on the surface. Don't people go exploring and pick stuff up, or does it have to do with the army base...weird! Would love to see it! Have fun and keep the pictures coming... love it... and love you, great to talk to you today by the way, Mom
thanks for updating- we've been waiting for a post. had a great time with tina- dan is going next week- I told him to wait cause I know how much you love working side by side him, learning all about construction, but..... it works out best for him to go next week- sorry your he-men bonding will have to wait- love, mother
The eastern mediterranean is littered with pottery shards. This isn't surprising considering the fact that it's been inhabited for 8,000 years. In most countries it's illegal to take artifacts as soveniers. Cyprus and Greece have heavy, heavy penalties that usually have mandatory imprisonment. It's also taboo in academia to take personal posession of historical artifacts. In the words of one famous archaeologist, "It belongs in a museum!"
Oh, and yeah this is Jeff's camera. Thanks Jeff. Pray that I don't hawk it to a street vendor for some cheap touristy crap.
Let us know when you find the missing link
I love you
Hi David- it's me Noah. I just want to say that I finally found my DS!! It was in a step stool that had a lid on it. I hope you have a safe time in Cyprus. Please write me back. Your brother in law, Noah
Jesus loves you and so do I
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