Finally we called a shabib-mobile to transport the rest of us to Karanis.
The day was outstanding.
The americans working at the dig house are all stationed out at Karanis and so the day posed the opportunity for the Kiwi team to see some greco-roman stuff and structural things :3
Karanis is an amazing site, really really big, pottery everywhere (Josh got excited).
The whole site was origionally covered by the Michigan dig team way back ing the late 20's and is now being revisited by the Fayum project (the project we work on).
Its a really surreal experience walking around the area with walls sticking out almost skeletally from the ground.
The sheer amount of pottery littering the ground is breathtaking and the winding alleyways of the houses is both confusing and breathtaking.
Part of the day was set aside for comaring the 20s photos to the modern excavations, and it was really striking how much has changed in such a short period of time. Whole levels of structures have disapeared, diagnositc features have been removed, walls have toppled and sand has settled over large portions of the site.
The other striking feature was the sheer amount of looting which occured across the site. Its shamefull to think how much damage has been done to this amazing site from people looking for gold or pharonic items. We have already seen the damage done to neolithic sites where we work (20m pit of death through Kom K) and seeing it again here really drives home how desperate some people must be to damage their heritage in such a way :(
In the afternoon we were all feeling abit sickly so took afew hours out to chill and watch some Indiana Jones, resting in preparation for Thanks-Giving dinner which was planned for this eve.
On returning to the dining room after our little movie session we found it decorated to all manner, streamers, decorations, tinsel, nametags :3 It was truly amazing.
Turkey (8Kgs worth) was laid out with gravy, mashed potatos, sweet-potatoes. So much deliciousness!
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH.
Now, in Egypt you never know when your next good meal will come from so you tend to stock up. This meant shoving our faces with turkey till we couldnt swallow any more down.
I regret nothing.
The next step was to get all emotional.
Going around the table saying things that we are thankful for in the past year.
For me I have had a mixed year, and this dig represents the start of my new life overseas. So for that I am thankful for the opportunity to be here, for the friends I have made through the year, and for amazing colleagues I have from University of Auckland whom I couldnt do this without.
The reality that much of what I have here will be over in 4 weeks time really hit me tonight and it was a failed struggle later to hold back tears as we all talked over our years and future plans.
But soon enough it was time to stop being sissys, man up and watch some quality video. The post-grad diaries.
All of us are post-graduates here and the truths in this movie really struck home. Watching this with our supervisors was honestly the most hilarious thing in the world.
Simon almost died of laughter.
An amazing thanks-giving.
With amazing people.
In an amazing place.
The day was outstanding.
The americans working at the dig house are all stationed out at Karanis and so the day posed the opportunity for the Kiwi team to see some greco-roman stuff and structural things :3
Karanis is an amazing site, really really big, pottery everywhere (Josh got excited).
Selection of pottery from Karanis
Panorama of the bathhouse site
Panorama of the kiln site
Panorama of the whole site from the west hill, looking towards the temple
The archway outside the michigan dig-house
Its a really surreal experience walking around the area with walls sticking out almost skeletally from the ground.
The sheer amount of pottery littering the ground is breathtaking and the winding alleyways of the houses is both confusing and breathtaking.
Part of the day was set aside for comaring the 20s photos to the modern excavations, and it was really striking how much has changed in such a short period of time. Whole levels of structures have disapeared, diagnositc features have been removed, walls have toppled and sand has settled over large portions of the site.
The other striking feature was the sheer amount of looting which occured across the site. Its shamefull to think how much damage has been done to this amazing site from people looking for gold or pharonic items. We have already seen the damage done to neolithic sites where we work (20m pit of death through Kom K) and seeing it again here really drives home how desperate some people must be to damage their heritage in such a way :(
In the afternoon we were all feeling abit sickly so took afew hours out to chill and watch some Indiana Jones, resting in preparation for Thanks-Giving dinner which was planned for this eve.
On returning to the dining room after our little movie session we found it decorated to all manner, streamers, decorations, tinsel, nametags :3 It was truly amazing.
Turkey (8Kgs worth) was laid out with gravy, mashed potatos, sweet-potatoes. So much deliciousness!
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH.
Now, in Egypt you never know when your next good meal will come from so you tend to stock up. This meant shoving our faces with turkey till we couldnt swallow any more down.
I regret nothing.
The next step was to get all emotional.
Going around the table saying things that we are thankful for in the past year.
For me I have had a mixed year, and this dig represents the start of my new life overseas. So for that I am thankful for the opportunity to be here, for the friends I have made through the year, and for amazing colleagues I have from University of Auckland whom I couldnt do this without.
The reality that much of what I have here will be over in 4 weeks time really hit me tonight and it was a failed struggle later to hold back tears as we all talked over our years and future plans.
But soon enough it was time to stop being sissys, man up and watch some quality video. The post-grad diaries.
All of us are post-graduates here and the truths in this movie really struck home. Watching this with our supervisors was honestly the most hilarious thing in the world.
Simon almost died of laughter.
The hand-turkeys made by the dig-team crew :3
One of the kiwis hand-turkeys / hand-kiwi
Movies on the roof :3
So there it is.An amazing thanks-giving.
With amazing people.
In an amazing place.
Thanks-giving set up :3 :3 :3 :3 :3
Love the candles - Thanks be:)
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