Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Past Horizons
Online Journal of Volunteer Archaeology and Training
M ay 2009
Archaeology
and
Conser vation
in
Timbuktu
Issue 8
May 2009
Editors:
Felicity Donohoe
Maggie Struckmeier
Layout:
Maggie Struckmeier
Graphics
David Connolly
Past Horizons
Traprain House
Luggate Burn
Haddington
East Lothian
EH41 4QA
Contributors:
Susan Daniels
Gerard Twomey
Douglas Post Park
Amanda Maples
Austin Ainsw orth
Jeff Guin
Dave Webb
20 Where the Camel meets the Canoe
A team of Yale University academics have set up the Timbuktu Research
Project in response to the worsening environmental conditions in this
remote region. Their research has led them to conclude this is not the
first time Timbuktu has faced this particular dilemma.
Fron t c o v e r : P o u r in g s t r o n g Tu a r e g t e a
Phot o g r a p h : A m a nd a M a p l e s
Note
Past Horizons can give no endorsement of any listed
project or guarantee the accuracy of the information
supplied. The editors accept no responsibility for
any loss, injury, or inconvenience sustained by
anyone using the resources contained within this
magazine and/or the websites mentioned herein.
When considering a project, be sure to contact the
director with any questions you might have about
conditions, travel, health issues, etc. Check for
references from previous participants, seek advice
where possible and select a project that will be of
the greatest benefit to you, the project and the team. 12 Bamburgh Research Project
Archaeology is in itself a destructive process and as a result needs to
All content is copyright and no reproduction be fully recorded. The media department at the Bamburgh Research
of text or images is allowed without prior
permission from the author. Project was created to experiment with video recording as a means to
Past Horizons 2009 deal more fully with this issue. Gerard Twomey, the media director,
explains the ideas behind this successful project.
past horizons 2
Contents
8 The Great Arab Revolt Project
Archaeology in the Jordanian desert through
the eyes of volunteer Susan Daniels.
Reg u l a r s
4 Editorial 36 Dig Cook
Challenge yourself. Culinary escapades from Annie Evans.
28 Dig In 39 Viewpoint
Archaeological volunteer digs and David Connolly discusses what
field schools for 2009. archaeology means to him.
3 past horizons
Take u p the chal lenge...
This particular challenge revolves around a small 18th century tea house
built in the classical style straddling a stream. Sadly, in the late 1960s a
tree fell through the structure and a large portion of the beautifully-carved
sandstone frontage fell into the stream and has lain there submerged ever
since. The remaining shell acts as a reminder of its glory days when tea
was so expensive and exotic that it was something to savour after a stroll
through the carefully designed landscape of Newhailes Estate, on the
outskirts of Edinburgh. These were heady times, the Scottish enlightenment
was in full swing and this little tea house may have quenched the thirst
of the great thinkers of the day including economist Adam Smith and
philosopher David Hume who were frequent visitors to the Estate.
past horizons 4
Sometimes finding yourself in a part of the world you know very little about is certainly a bit of a
challenge but it’s all part of the archaeological experience. When you arrive at your destination it is
editorial
understandable that it might feel a bit alien, but after a while you relax, things get more familiar and the
next thing you know it becomes your second home. Each time you return you understand it a bit more,
you get to know the locals, you might even start to feel a sense of responsibility towards it.
Intrigued? Well, read on, and hopefully in the near future you will be
inspired to take up your own archaeological challenge.
Maggie Struckmeier
editor@pasthorizons.com
5 past horizons
W W I Au s t ra l i a n a n d B r i t i s h wa r d e a d to b e e xhumed
S o w h a t h a p p e n e d i n t h e e a r l y e v e n i n g o f We d n e s d a y
1 9 J u l y, 1 9 1 6 , t h a t c a u s e d s o m a n y t o l o s e t h e i r
lives?
A f e w d a y s a f t e r t h e s l a u g h t e r, t h e G e r m a n s p i c k e d u p
some of the dead men and carried them back behind
their front line for burial, removing most of their
personal possessions to return to the families of the
Australian and British soldiers. The 2008 excavation
confirmed that the shape of the burial cuts were
indeed made by German spades, and some metal rings
f r o m t h e G e r m a n s t r e t c h e r s u s e d t o c ar r y t h e b o d i e s
to the pits were also recovered.
I d e n t i f y i n g t h e b o d i e s i s a d i ff i c u l t t a s k a n d w i l l
involve cross referencing of casualty records with
DNA analysis where possible. Those people whose
M en o f t h e A u s t r a l i a n 5 3 rd b a t tal ion r e l a t i v e s w e r e l o s t i n W W I a r e b e i n g u rg e d t o l o o k a t
a t t h e f ro n t l i n e m i n u t e s bef ore
launching the attack.
their family trees to find possible names that might
be traced to Fromelles.
P h o t o s c o u r t e s y o f t h e A u s t r a l i a n War M emori al
past horizons 6
Controversy over re - opening of Babylon ruins
After decades of turmoil, I r a q i s c e l e b r a t i n g i t s r e n e w e d s o v e r e i g n t y o v e r t h e
Babylon archaeological s i t e — b y f i g h t i n g o v e r i t s p a s t , f u t u r e a n d s p o i l s .
Read more: http://tinyurl . c o m / c y 7 w ap
7 past horizons
The Great
Arab R evolt
Projec t
Scribblings
from the spoilheap...
B y S u s a n D a n i els
G
A R P : i t sounds like an exotic species of fish but actually it stands fo r t h e G re a t
A r a b R evolt Project which I became involved with four years ago. Th e m a i n a i m s
o f G A RP are to evaluate and excavate First World War conflict sites i n s o u t h e r n
J o r d a n a l o n g t he route of the Hijaz railway, and to follow ‘Lawrence of Ara b i a ’ a n d t h e
A r a b f o rc e s ’ c ampaign against the Ottoman Turks between 1914 and 1918.
past horizons 8
Damascus
Syria Iraq
Jordan
Amman
Israel
Hijaz Railway
Ma’an
Batn Al-Ghoul
Wadi Rutm Saudi Arabia
EGYPT
Aqaba
So I decided to send an e-mail explaining to Two weeks later, that group of strangers
the project directors that I was interested in had metamorphosed into good companions.
joining the expedition. Panic immediately I realised that between us all we held such
set in, though, when I heard that I had been a great wealth of life experience that the
accepted; just what I had let myself in for? 90-minute bone-shaker bus ride to the site
The panic increased at the pre-meeting in packed in like sardines in a tin was never
London when I found myself surrounded by a dull, and the before/after dinner anecdotes
host of people who seemed to know far more could fill a book. We all looked out for
about excavation, Lawrence and military each other and found the experience deeply
history than I did. rewarding, not just for the pioneering aspect
of this 20th century archaeology, but also on
I came very close to pulling out that day, a more personal level. Proving this, a core
worried about how I would fit in but I pulled contingent from that first year has just signed
myself together and reasoned that the team up for their fourth season.
directors must have thought me capable of
contributing something. So I decided to take a During that first season the good-natured
risk and took up the challenge of sharing two banter on site often helped with the slog
weeks in a desert environment with a group of of emptying heavy goofers (buckets to the
complete strangers. uninitiated). Intense concentration was
continued
9 past horizons
Susan, O d e t t e a n d B i l l p l a n n i n g a n e x c a v a t e d Tu rkish gun emplacement
past horizons 10
Get Inv olv ed
Website: www.jordan1914-18archaeology.org
11 past horizons
Oliver B u c k e t , a s t u d e n t o f Yo r k S t J o h n U n i v e r s ity Film & TV course, films a close-up shot of a student excavating a
broken m e d i a e v a l p o t i n Tre n c h 1
past horizons 12
B a m b u rgh
R e s e a rc h
Pro j e c t
For the Record
B y G erard Twomey
B
amburgh Research Project was
set up in 1996 to investigate
the archaeology of Bamburgh
Castle, Northumberland, UK. An
ancient site with occupation evidence
stretching back to the Neolithic, it is
most important as the principal royal
site of Anglo Saxon Bernicia, and at
times, the capital of Northumbria.
continued
13 past horizons
York St . J o h n s t u d e n t E l l i e C r i s e l l s e t t i n g u p a v i deo diary York St. John student Alexander Summ ers id e f il mi ng
general views of Trench 3 from the va nt ag e p oi nt o f
the windmill
past horizons 14
w o r k i n g ) , g e n e ral views and feature or deposit We encourage the media students t o m a k e t h e i r
s h o t s a s t h e y a re revealed and then removed, own films over the course of thei r p l a c e m e n t ,
a l o n g w i t h t h e ongoing site interp retation. usually three weeks, and the n u m b e r s a r e
A r e c o r d i s k ept of tape content with log deliberately kept small so that e a c h s t u d e n t
s h e e t s a n d a r egister, which can achieve thi s g o a l . We
a l s o n o t e s t h e timecodes, aim for film d u r a t i o n o f
a n d a r c h a e o l o gical context under 10 minute s a s w e h a v e
I t will not change how
numbers for cross referencing to be realistic a b o u t w h a t
w i t h i n t h e s i t e database. a rc haeologists analyse is achievable g i v e n t i m e
and wr ite up their and equipment l i m i t a t i o n s ,
O n v i d e o , t h e students and sites. audience attent i o n a n d f i l e
p r o f e s s i o n a l archaeologists size or length co n s t r a i n t s f o r
discuss what they are web delivery. M a n y o f t h e
d i g g i n g , h o w i t relates to other features or finished films, a copy of which s t u d e n t s g e t
d e p os i t s a n d how it is placed in a spatial to keep, are shown on the Bambu rg h w e b s i t e ,
a n d t e m p o r a l context. Obviously, the level various public video upload cha n n e l s a n d a s
o f o b s e r v a t i o n and interpretation varies part of media seminars.
e n o r m o u s l y b e tween excavators so the aim is
t o g e t a b r o a d range of opinion. Presenting Realistically, though, what b e n e f i t s c a n
t o t h e c a m e r a , though, works best with site videography bring to the arc h a e o l o g i s t ?
s u p e r v i s o r s a n d directors who have the most Video, like most recording on si t e , i s h i g h l y
t o o ff e r i n t e r ms of interpretative opinions. subjective. It is usually less r i g o r o u s a n d
O c c a s i o n a l l y l onger interviews are conducted certainly no substitute for conv e n t i o n a l o n -
c o v er i n g a w i der range of subjects to help site recording and interpretation, s o i t w i l l n o t
p l a c e t h e e x c a vated material within a social change how archaeologists analy s e a n d w r i t e
a n d h i s t o r i c c o ntext. up their sites. It is impractical to u s e i t l i k e t h e
continued
Studen t s g e t t h e b e n e f i t o f u s i n g a v a r i e t y o f c a m eras to try Naomi Smith who recently won a national student
differe n t s h o o t i n g s t y l e s f ro m h a n d - h e l d t o t r i p o d television award
15 past horizons
or deposition, strong winds and r a i n , t r e n c h
collapses and bioturbation that a l l h a v e a n
effect on the archaeological proc e s s .
w r i t t e n a r c h i v e as it contains either too much The short films the students prod u c e a r e a b l e
o r t o o l i t t l e i n f o rmation, is not specific enough to reach a wider, non-specialist a u d i e n c e a n d
a n d i s n o t a s y et easily searchable. allows the project to make inform a t i o n p u b l i c
through internet technology on a n o n g o i n g
Vi d e o h o w e v e r, can do what no other current basis rather than waiting for the e x c a v a t i o n s
r e c o r d i n g m e t h od can do which is to show the to be finished and the findings pu b l i s h e d .
p r o g r e s s i o n o f the excavation in great detail.
I f r e q u i r e d i t c ould record every stroke of the As the guardians and destroyers of irreplaceable
t r o w e l a n d e v e ry nuance of the excavator. It past resources, archaeologist s h a v e a
c a n sh o w t h e s t yle of excavation and skill level responsibility to present their di s c o v e r i e s t o
o f t h e a r c h a e o logist and it can demonstrate the rest of the world and quest i o n w h e t h e r
h o w t h e r e c o r d i ng had been conducted and can more could be done to aid that pr o c e s s .
s h o w t h e p r o g r ession of interpretive thought,
a l l c a p t u r e d f o r posterity. Video also records People generally have a sympath e t i c a t t i t u d e
t h e e n v i r o n m e ntal factors such as erosion towards archaeology and as a r e s u l t t h e r e
past horizons 16
i s a r e a d y - m a de audience. However, rather After studying archaeology at Yor k U n i v e r s i t y,
t h a n j u s t r e l y i n g on mainstream television to UK, Gerard Twomey worked for s e v e r a l y e a r s
p r e s e n t a r c h a e o logy on our behalf, the internet in field archaeology before purs u i n g a n M A
a l l o w s u s a s archaeologists to gain much in screenwriting at the Northern F i l m S c h o o l ,
m o r e c o n t r o l o ver content and thus to deliver Leeds, UK. He joined the Bamburg h R e s e a rc h
a n d d i s c u s s t h eories and ideas glo bally to Project in 2000 as the project film m a k e r. N o w
s p e c i a l i s t a n d non specialist audiences alike. the media director and a proj e c t d i re c t o r,
he has contributed to a feature d o c u m e n t a r y
A t t h e B a m b u rgh Research Project we are Reclaiming the Blade and is in pos t - p ro d u c t i o n
p r o u d o f o u r participation in this media on another co-produced with U S c o m p a n y
r e v o l u t i o n . I t h as enabled us to engage with Galatia Films. This document a r y, L e g e n d
o u r st u d e n t s a n d volunteers in a new way, and Castle, will explore the history o f B a m b u rg h
h a s a l l o w e d e a ch of us the chance to speak up Castle and showcase the proje c t ’s w o r k t o
f o r t h e a r c h a e o logy before it is lost f orever. date.
I f you are viewing this magazine on SCRIBD, then you will not be
able to see the video.
Yo u can view it on either the full flip page version of the magazine:
www.pasthorizons.com/magazine
Ge t In v o l v ed
T he Bamburgh Research Project field school is open to students and volunteers. Training is provided
in all aspects of practical fieldwork techniques including excavation, drawing, photography, site
recording, survey, post excavation analysis, databasing, sampling and environmental processing, artefact
recognition and processing, and site interpretation. The media department encourages participation in
recording the site and the social history.
Cost: £150 per week (£5 per night extra for campsite; bring your own tent)
17 past horizons
E ssential To o l s fo r t h e
First-Time D i g g e r
If y o u h a v e s i g n e d u p f o r y o ur first excavation and are confused about the
tool s t o t a k e w i t h y o u , t h e n P ast Horizons is here to help.
A
s a v o l unteer or student you will not to work with no need to continuo u s l y b o r r o w
n o r m a l ly be expected to turn up with the site equipment. The items y o u w i l l f i n d
y o u r o wn spade or expensive GPS most useful include the 0.5mm a n d 0 . 7 m m
s y s t e m b u t y o u might be asked to bri ng along Rotring Tikky pencils (remember b r i n g s o m e
the basics. spare leads, at least 3H), an eras e r, a S h a r p i e
permanent marker, two or thre e b l a c k B I C
T h e t o o l t h a t r epresents the archaeologist is, biros and a scale ruler. Having t h e s e i t e m s
o f c o u r s e , t h e trowel. There are on ly a few to hand will help you to draw p l a n s , w r i t e
m a k e s o n t h e m arket to choose out record sheets , m a r k f i n d s
f r o m a n d a l l s hare the same bags and even ke e p y o u r d i a r y
b a s i c c h a r a c t eristics: they up to date.
a r e d r o p f o rg e d , which means
The direc tor will be
t h e y a r e p a r t i c ularly durable i m pressed that you are The hand tape is a n o t h e r v i t a l
a n d s t r o n g , a n d the blade is s e r i ous enough to tur n tool that you sim p l y c a n ’t b e
b e t we e n 4 - 4 ½ inches long up ready to wor k . without. It shou l d b e e i t h e r
( c . 11 c m ) . T he three main 5 or 8 metres an d i t i s w o r t h
t y p e s w h i c h are favoured spending a bit e x t r a o n a
b y a r c h a e o l o gists are the decent hand tape s u c h a s t h e
M a r s h a l l t o w n (USA), the Battiferro (Italy) hard-to-beat Stanley. The cheap e r v e r s i o n s
a n d t h e W H S (UK). Choosing your trowel are floppy and have a tendency t o j a m a f t e r
i s a m a t t e r o f personal taste and varies from using them a few times.
c o u nt r y t o c o u ntry but be warned, a cheap
w e l de d t r o w e l or one with a long blade will do A few extras that may not be esse n t i a l b u t m a y
y o u n o f a v o u r s and will probably break within certainly prove useful include: t h e S t a n l e y
t h e f i r s t f e w w eeks of punishing work. aluminium line level (a small sp i r i t l e v e l t o
provide horizontal lines on sectio n d r a w i n g ) ;
O t h er e x c a v a t i on tools that are always handy a plumb bob for vertical measur e m e n t s ; t w o
t o k e e p i n y o ur toolkit are the trowel and bulldog clips which have variou s u s e s f r o m
s q u a r e o r l e a f and square. These are small clipping tapes to survey pins o r h o l d i n g
p l a s t e r e r ’s t o o l s with a thinner, smaller blade drawings onto planning board s . A n d l a s t
t h a n t h e s t a n d ard trowel and great for more but not least, four six-inch nail s , u s e f u l f o r
d e l i c a t e w o r k . The best make on the market laying out trenches, setting out s e c t i o n l i n e s ,
i s t h e Ty z a c k . marking find spots and holding d o w n c o n t e x t
sheets.
A s w e l l a s d i gging you will also need to
r e c o r d , s o w h e ther it is writing or drawing, Finally, you will want to keep you r e q u i p m e n t
h a v i n g y o u r o wn items to hand will prove neat, tidy and always to hand, a n d f o r t h a t
i n v a l u a b l e . T h e director will be impressed you can’t beat a tool roll.
t h a t y o u a r e s e rious enough to turn up ready Happy digging!
past horizons 18
Past Horizons toolstore
where quality matters www.pasthorizons.com/shop
We only sell the best equipment for the job and everything is tried and tested in the
field, we send anywhere in the world. Order and pay online and leave the rest to us.
Our customers include museums, universities and archaeological companies around the
world as well as community groups and individuals.
SPEAR &
JACKSON
Tyzack
19 past horizons
Pouri n g s t ro n g Tu a re g t e a Photographs: Amanda Maples
past horizons 20
Where the Camel
M eets the Canoe
Ti m b u k t u’s R ediscovered Past
T
i m b u k t u used to exist in my head as remote, distant and exotic. College le c t u r e s m a d e
m e n t i o n of its libraries, wealth and decline. I could point to it on a map , p a r t o f t h e
c o u n t r y of Mali, West Africa, on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert , j u s t b a r e l y
t o u c h i n g t h e n orthernmost point of the Niger River, where the camel meets the c a n o e , b u t I
k n e w l i t t l e m o r e.
21 past horizons
L o c a l o r a l h i s tory describes Timbuktu as However, some would say that Ti m b u k t u ’s
a t r a d i n g p o i n t founded some time in the greatest treasures were its libr a r i e s ( w h i c h
1 2 t h c e n t u r y A D by the nomadic Tu aregs. A still exist) and universities whi c h g a v e r i s e
c r o s s r o a d s f o r t he salt, gold and slave trade, it to advanced learning in theology, a s t r o n o m y
d e v e l o p e d g r e a t wealth between the 14th and and jurisprudence. Considered o n e o f t h e
1 6 t h c e n t u r i e s . It is told that around two thirds leading beacons of Islamic kno w l e d g e , t h e
o f a l l g o l d t o r each Mediaeval Europ e passed city produced and consumed the m o s t v a l u a b l e
t h r o u g h i t l a d e n onto Tuareg camel caravans of all trade goods: books. The U n i v e r s i t y o f
t h a t s t r e t c h e d like great serpents slowly Sankore, the largest university i n t h e w o r l d
w i n d i n g t h e i r way around sandy dunes for up at the time, was built around A D 1 3 0 0 a n d
t o 6 0 d a y s a t a time, heading northwards to housed some 25,000 students f r o m a s f a r
A l g e r i a o r M o r occo and returning with great afield as Cairo and Saudi Arabia.
s l a b s o f s a l t , a product worth its weight in
g o l d t o t h e s u b -Saharan region. The decline came in the 16th c e n t u r y w h e n
the Moroccan army crossed the Sa h a r a n d e s e r t
and invaded the city. The Por t u g u e s e a l s o
established a maritime gold, ivo r y a n d s l a v e
trade route from the coast of We s t A f r i c a t o
Europe which diminished the im p o r t a n c e o f
trans-Saharan trade. Neverthele s s , o n e c a n
still see camel caravans entering t h e c i t y w i t h
200 pound blocks of salt, and m a r k e t d a y s
still bustle with commotion and e x p l o d e w i t h
colour. The smell of the pungent f i s h m a r k e t
and the aromatic pleasures of the s p i c e m o n g e r s
are guaranteed to enliven all the s e n s e s .
past horizons 22
An 11 00 -year-o ld
pot and a 1 50 0-
year-ol d bea d
neckla ce reco vered
from exca vat io ns
near Tim bu ktu
23 past horizons
Djinga re y b e r M o s q u e b u i l t i n 1 3 2 7 i s o n e o f t h ree madrasas of the University of Sankore
past horizons 24
a n d s o c i a l s u s t ainability through the research file into 700-year-old mud-bu i l t m o s q u e s
o f a r c h a e o l o g y, environment and cultural diligently cared for by the entire c i t y.
p a t r i m o n y. T h e task at hand needs a long-
t e r m c o m m i t m ent to tackle a precarious When I look back at Timbuktu f r o m d i s t a n t
s i t u a t i o n t h a t will no doubt get wors e before dunes remembering an arboreal fact that I learnt
i t g e t s b e t t e r, b ut there is confidence that real as a child – the part of the tree th a t c a n n o t b e
p r o g r e s s i s p o s sible. seen is larger than the part that c a n – w h a t I
Ge t In v o l v ed
I f y o u w o u l d like to support TEP as an individual or institution
y o u c a n d o s o by direct funding or volunteering. There are various
p o s i t i o n s a n d directions volunteers can take. Help with fundraising
i s t h e m o s t i mmediate concern in o rder to train local archaeologists,
a n d i m p l e m e nt social work and public outreach.
Email: doug@timbuktuexpeditionproject.org
TEP website: http://timbuktuexpeditionproject.org
25 past horizons
c i n g
t r o d u
In
G lo ucester ’s I ti nera nt D ig ge rs
B y Au s t i n A i n s wor th
past horizons 26
M osaic
The construction of a mosaic w i t h i n t h e
Vaughan Centre garden forms the t h i r d e l e m e n t
of the programme. Linked to the d o c u m e n t a r y
research, a piece will be created b a s e d o n l o c a l
Roman examples previously ex c a v a t e d a n d
19th/20th century shop doorstep d e c o r a t i o n s
still in situ around Gloucester. Th o s e w i s h i n g
to be involved can attend a mosa i c w o r k s h o p
to advance their practical and de s i g n s k i l l s .
To find out more about the project contact Saul Hughes, senior project worker at GEAR:
saul.h u g h e s @ g e a r p r o j e c t s . o rg o r Austin Ainsworth: austin.ainsworth@gloucester.gov.uk
Future project updates will be available on the GEAR website: http://www.gearprojects.org
27 past horizons
D ig In A s e l e c t i o n of archaeological projec ts around t he wor ld
Is rael - A pollonia-Arsuf
Mapping the furnaces of an important glass production site from the Byzantine period and
the excavation of the moat and several halls of a Crusader castle.
Cost: $575. Date s: 29 June - 31 August 2009
Web: h t t p : / / w w w. t a u . a c . i l / h u m a n i t i e s / a r c h a e o l ogy/projects/proj_apollonia.html
I t a ly - Vultur Projec t
This survey and excavation in northern Ba silicata will focus upon the Lucanian Frontier as a
sphere of pre-Roman cultural interaction and Late Roman stability. Dates: 10 Aug - 2 Oct 2009
Cost: Free accommodation for experienced people and $900 (three weeks) for inexperienced.
Web : h t t p : / / w w w. v u l t u r p r o j e c t . c om
past horizons 28
Advertising Feature
The 2009 Archaeological Fieldschool run by North Pennines Archaeology Limited and North
Pennines Heritage Trust Education Service is due to commence on the 1st June, running through to
the 2nd August 2009. 2009's Field School will continue to investigate the Jacobean Hall and Service
Range at Dilston Castle (continued from 2007 and 2008 seasons), Northumberland.
The project aims to provide archaeology students, and prospective entrants into archaeology courses
at university, the opportunity to gain valuable fieldwork experience by participating in the project.
Weekend events are planned throughout the season and include underground mine trips and field
excursions.
29 past horizons
B eneath
the
Br icks
B y Jeff Guin
W
hen a s t r e e t i n a s m a l l t o w n i n s o u t h e r n U n i t e d S t a t e s f o u n d i t self in need
of so m e u rg e n t r e p a i r s , t h e r e s u l t i n g – a n d s t a t e - r e q u i r e d – a r chaeological
inves t i g a t i o n s t h r e a t e n e d t o d i v i d e t h e c o m m u n i t y. T h e b r i c k - l i n ed historical
Front Street of N a t c h i t o c h e s , L o u i s i a n a , w a s a l s o t h e h u b o f b u s i n e s s a n d t ourism, and
with several we e k s ’ c l o s u r e s c h e d u l e d , m e r c h a n t s w e r e n o n e t o o h a p p y.
past horizons 30
Breda Town
Oklahoma Arkansas
Mississippi
Dr
Alabama Georgia
Cane River
Natchitoches
ther King
Texas
Martin Lu
New Orleans
Louisiana Florida
Natchitoches
Front Street
Gulf of Mexico
Mexico
Univ
ersit
y Pa
rkwa
y
continued
Kaleigh Guin examines G uessing the age of Learning about soil types D emonstrating a Native
the different soil types local artefacts of the area American drill
31 past horizons
r e c o r d s , d i a r i e s and maps which led him Following this a heritage educ a t i o n e v e n t
t o b e l i e v e t h e excavations would produce was staged, with interactive stati o n s t e a c h i n g
r e m a i n s o f c o l onial habitations, ea rly 19th about soil types, artefact reco g n i t i o n a n d
c e n t u r y d w e l l i ngs and businesses as well as demonstrations on the use of anc i e n t t o o l s .
e a r l y 2 0 t h c e n t ury automobile service sites.
To gain more attention for suffering businesses,
T h e m a p s p r oduced by U.S. insurance organisers set up a scavenger hu n t t h a t t o o k
c o m p a n y S a n b orn for the fire insurance families through several establ i s h m e n t s i n
i n d u s t r y p r o v i d ed a lot of evidence. Sanborn a quest for prizes, a popular a c t i v i t y t h a t
d i s p a t c h e d l e g ions of surveyors to gather continued throughout the life of t h e p r o j e c t .
d e t a i l e d i n f o r mation regarding buildings for
a b o ut 1 2 , 0 0 0 t owns and cities between 1867 The excavation concluded just a s 1 5 0 , 0 0 0
a n d 1 9 7 0 . T h e se maps exist for portions of tourists flooded the tiny town o f 1 8 , 0 0 0
N a t c h i t o c h e s f r om 1892 to 1930. inhabitants for its Christmas ‘ F e s t i v a l o f
Lights’ in December.
A s t h e e x c a v a t i on progressed, the Beneath the
B r i c k s g r o u p d esigned and set up a series of Thanks to this small but passio n a t e g r o u p ,
e x h i b i t s f u n d e d by the Cane River National potential conflict was turned int o a p o s i t i v e
H e r i t a g e A r e a at shops along Front Street. experience for the community, a n d a s t h e
T h i s e n c o u r a g ed people to walk downtown downtown area of Natchitoche s d e v e l o p s ,
t o l o o k a t t h e many historic photographs and Beneath the Bricks continues to h e l p i n t e r p r e t
p o t t e r y d i s p l a y s. new archaeological projects as t h e y h a p p e n ,
keeping civic pride alive and wel l .
If you are viewing this magazine on SCRIBD, then you will not
be able to see the video.
You can view it on either the full flip page version of the
magazine:
www.pasthorizons.com/magazine
past horizons 32
Advertising Feature
U B
Birmingham provides the ideal footing for
anyone wanting to begin a career in
archaeology or the heritage environment.
Along with diverse skills and opportunities
provided, I also got to experience city life
in Britain’s second city. Thanks to the
course, I have been employed in
archaeology since I graduated in 2007.
Campus-based programmes
MA/PG Diploma in Practical Archaeology
MA/PG Diploma in Landscape Archaeology, GIS & Virtual
Environments
MSc in Environmental Archaeology & Palaeoenvironments
MA in Conflict Archaeology
M Phil (B) in Archaeological Practice
33 past horizons
Profile
D ouglas Post Park lives in New England in the United
States and is a PhD candidate in anthropological
a r c h a e o l o g y a t Ya l e U n i v e r s i t y. H e i s d i r e c t o r o f t h e
Ti m b u k t u E x p e d i t i o n P r o j e c t , a n o n - p r o f i t o rg a n i s a t i o n
whose mission is to create long-term environmental and
s o c i a l s u s t a i n a b i l i t y t h r o u g h t h e r e s e a r c h o f a r c h a e o l o g y,
e n v i r o n m e n t a n d c u l t u r a l p a t r i m o n y.
What book are you reading right now? What new skill would you like to learn?
For pleasure I am reading Against Empire by Michael I would like to learn how to fly, and I am enrolling in
Parenti. I am very interested in modern politics and world flight training classes next summer in Guatemala.
history.
Do you have any heroes or heroines?
Top three essential items for travelling? My friends and family.
Malaria medication, a Leatherman and one hip flask full
of Dewar ’s Scotch Whisky. What is the most interesting excavation you have been
part of?
What country do you enjoy visiting and why? One of my good friends directs an excavation at a pre-Inca
I have a serious obsession with Greece. I lived there for site in the Peruvian Amazon. Working there was extremely
three years in my early 20s and became fully immersed difficult but the archaeology was amazing. Of course, I
in the language and culture. Every time I go back I feel think my excavations at Timbuktu are just as cool!
completely at ease, like a second home.
What is the worst job you have ever done?
Have you had any near death experiences? Bartender at a Georgetown pub in Washington DC.
I have had a few. The only one I am willing to mention Bartending wasn’t bad, but cleaning up after closing time
is the time I was glacier climbing on Fox glacier in New was horrible.
Zealand and took a bad fall into an deep and narrow ice
crevice. Because I was wearing a large backpack when I Do you prefer survey or excavation?
fell I became wedged in the crevice before I hit the bottom, I like to combine both during my field seasons, but
some 100 feet below. I was pulled out with help from my perhaps I enjoy survey better, mostly because it takes less
friends and sustained only strains in my hands and feet. logistical planning than excavation. Also, I like to use the
fancy survey equipment I borrow from my university.
What historical character would you like to have met?
I would have really liked to know my ancestor, Mungo What do you see out of your window just now?
Park, who was the first European to reach the Niger River The Yale School of Management, the building just across
and come back alive. Unfortunately he died on his second the yard from my office in the Anthropology Department.
trip to the Niger and I am trying my best not to repeat There is a fancy tent party going on there right now and I
family history. am thinking of sneaking in for some tasty snacks after I’m
done with this interview.
Plane, train or automobile and why?
I really despise planes, not because of the whole flying If you weren’t an archaeologist what would you do
thing, but because of the airports and the great deal of instead?
stress that goes along with trying to check in. When I can’t answer that easily, but I can only assume that I
abroad I prefer four-wheel drive trucks, which allows me would just be a poor vagabond aimlessly travelling the
to explore the countryside. world and sneaking into tent parties for the free snacks!
past horizons 34
Advertising Feature
A t Birkbeck we offer a wide range of courses on all aspects of Archaeology & Egyptology,
taught by people who are as passionate about the past as they are about sharing their
expert knowledge with you.
Archaeology & Egyptology Courses Part Time, Evening and Weekly Courses
We offer a number of courses within the following awards:
Society and Culture in the Roman Empire Birth of a Nation: The Archaeology of England c.400-1540
Human Evolution Discovering Archaeology: Studying the Past
Bioarchaeology – The Archaeology of Human Bones Landscape Archaeology
Prehistoric Britain: New Ideas Thoughts & Theories Art and Archaeology I: Prehistoric Art
After the Excavation: Archaeology from Processing to Publication The Study of Artefacts
Kings over Everything: The Archaeology of Britain within the Roman Empire
London Bodies: An Introduction to the Study of Human Skeleton Remains
MA Archaeology
The MA Archaeology is designed to teach the methods and practice of contemporary archaeology. It is suitable for both
volunteer and professional archaeologists. Our MA in Archaeology has been designed to fit around the lives of working
people. Core course and options modules take place over the weekend and in one week slots. The MA course runs from
October to July and is undertaken over two years on a part-time basis. Interviews for the MA in Archaeology are between
July and September.
35 past horizons
Recipes for Archaeologists
“Eat your veggies! ” i s a c r y t h a t m a n y obtain his or her produce right from
of us heard as child r e n . L i t t l e w o n d e r, t h e g r o w e r. I ’ v e b e e n f o r t u n a t e e n o u g h
then, that a lot of pe o p l e h a v e g r o w n u p in the Mediterranean to find produce
with a bad attitude a b o u t v e g e t a b l e s . that was picked just a few hours before
it went into my pots. This is the way
Annie Evans Even lovers of vege t a b l e s h a v e b e e n p u t things ought to be.
The Dig Cook off by the way in wh i c h s o m e e x t r e m e l y
dull cooks treat t h e u n f o r t u n a t e Over the years I’ve worked out a few
cabbages, beans and o t h e r f r e s h p r o d u c e tricks that I use to give vegetables a
that passes through t h e i r k i t c h e n . W h e n l i t t l e e x t r a b o o s t . Yo u d o n ’t h a v e t o
vegetables have had t h e b e j e s u s c o o k e d do much to add some extra sparkle to
out them there’s ver y l i t t l e n o u r i s h m e n t carrots, beans and cabbages – to name
or taste left to enjoy. O v e r c o o k e d b e a n s j u s t a f e w. T h e s e i m p o r t a n t s o u r c e s o f
or any other vegeta b l e a r e a t o t a l w a s t e f l a v o u r a n d n u t r i t i o n s h o u l d n ’t h a v e t o
of time, lacking cri s p n e s s , f l a v o u r a n d play second fiddle to the main course of
the goodness that t h e y o u g h t t o b r i n g m e a t , f i s h o r w h a t e v e r. N o r ( s h u d d e r ! )
to the plate. should various vegetables be cooked in
the same pot at the same time.
Ideally, vegetables s h o u l d s p e n d a s l i t t l e
time as possible g e t t i n g f r o m g a r d e n Getting all the elements of a meal
to the table. This i s o f t e n d i ff i c u l t t o t o g e t h e r a t t h e s a m e t i m e c a n b e d i ff i c u l t
achieve today when p r o d u c e i s s h i p p e d when you’re working in a basic kitchen
or flown around the g l o b e . B u t i n m a n y with not much in the way of stovetop or
parts of the world w h e r e a r c h a e o l o g i s t s o v e n s p a c e . Yo u c a n g e t a r o u n d t h i s b y
work we are often f o r t u n a t e i n f i n d i n g cooking the vegetable components of
local sources of p r o d u c e w h i c h m a y the meal earlier in the day and serving
have very few midd l e m e n i n t h e c h a i n t h e m c o l d . T h i s a p p r o a c h d o e s n ’t w o r k
of supply. Every c o o k w o r t h p u t t i n g with every vegetable but it can solve
in a kitchen is thr i l l e d t o b e a b l e t o problems for the busy cook.
If you have silverbeet (spinach) available, it can be used in the following recipe as
a delicious and filling accompaniment to the main course:
Empty tomatoes into a large pot, add garlic, salt and pepper, chickpeas, sugar and
spinach, and simmer for 10 minutes. May be served hot or cold. Quantities are for 10
people. This also makes a delicious lunch with some crusty bread.
I like to cook beans and peas quickly then combine them with fresh chopped spring
onions, chives or other fresh herbs, and dress them with a vinaigrette of olive oil, lemon
juice or white wine vinegar, salt and pepper and crushed garlic.
past horizons 36
Another delicio us dressing for green veggies, such as steamed beans or zucchini, is the following:
Method
Process oregano leaves, oil, salt and pepper, garlic and lemon juice until well chopped, or pound together
using a mortar and pestle. Add crumbled feta and chopped olives and pour over warm green veggies. Serve
cold. You can use dry oregano but fresh is best.
Ca rrots that have been cooked until just tender are delicious with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds, a
few drops of sesame oil, a knob of butter, a spoonful of honey and a little salt and pepper.
Method
Add onions, garlic and peppers - and a bit more oil if needed - to the frying pan and cook for 10 minutes or
until vegetables have softened. Add the tomatoes, sugar, ground coriander with salt and pepper to taste. Cook
for 5 – 10 minutes until liquid has reduced by a third. Stir in chopped coriander. Spoon this mixture on top of
eggplant. Cover and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Can be served warm or chilled. Sprinkle with more chopped
coriander.
This tastes best with a bowl of yoghurt and warm, crusty bread.
37 past horizons
Interes ted In... Distance Learning
I f yo u wo u l d l i k e to study archaeology through distance
l e a r n i n g t h e re a re now a few institutions that provide
t hi s o p t i o n . B e l ow i s a selec tion of some of the courses
on offer.
past horizons 38
Viewpoint
Wh at a rc h a e o l o g y m e a n s to m e
W
hile writing a n e w g u i d e t o g e t t i n g i n v o l v e d i n a r c h a e o l o g y, m y t h o u g h t s
turned to how I s t a r t e d n e a r l y t h r e e d e c a d e s a g o a n d h o w t h a t e x p e r i e n c e
shaped my lif e f r o m t h a t m o m e n t o n . A s a f o u r t e e n - y e a r- o l d m y m o t h e r
gave me permission go o n a c h i l d - f r i e n d l y d i g i n t h e Wy e Va l l e y t o i n v e s t i g a t e a
Palaeolithic cave perch e d h i g h o n a c l i ff a b o v e t h e t i n y v i l l a g e o f S y m o n d s Ya t i n
Herefordshire, England .
David Connolly is the direc tor of Br itish Archaeological Jobs and R esources (BA JR)
If you are viewing this magazine on SCRIBD, then you will not b e a b l e t o
39 past horizons
B a ck Pages
past horizons 40
Dave We b b, a p ro fe s s i o n a l archaeological photographer in the UK , has
pho to gra p h e d t h e d i g g e r s t h at he has wor ked alongside over many years.
41 past horizons
PAST HORIZONS
Journal of Volunteer Archaeology
Share
your Projects
with the World
Past Horizons is a unique online publication aimed at anyone who has an interest in archaeology
and heritage conservation. Our remit is to inform people about projects around the world where
you can participate either as volunteers with no previous experience, students looking for more
fieldwork experience or professionals who need a break on an exciting excavation.
Articles are written by project organisers or the participants in the project giving unique insights
into what to expect. Topics range from the discovery of mysterious features in Cornwall to rock art
survey in Nicaragua, restoring Ottoman period houses in Albania and surveys in the deserts of
Jordan. We encourage PhD students to contribute stories about projects they are involved in, such
as the recent article on Rwandan archaeology from two University College London
researchers.
Using the latest technology, with Pageflip, embedded videos and sounds, as well as live weblinks,
this is an online magazine like no other, so log on to Past Horizons today and get involved in a
world of archaeology and heritage conservation.