Today marks the end of the final week, and a chance for
everyone to gather their thoughts and gird their loins for the challenge of the
weeks ahead. Therefore, it is a perfect opportunity to hand the blog over to
some of our excavators for them to comment on their Thornton Abbey experience.
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| The Thornton Abbey Week 1 Team. Thanks for all your hard work, dedication and deturfing skills! |
Fin Chesterman,
Surrey
This has been my first ever archaeological dig and it’s been
fascinating. I was excited to becoming on the trip and it has not been a disappointment.
It has been an eye opening experience into the world of archaeology, provided
by a welcoming and friendly community from the University of Sheffield and many
others. My sincerest thanks goes out to all involved in making this trip happen
as I leave at the end of the week.
Victoria
Yuskaitis, Sparta, NJ (USA)
Digging in fabulous, sunny weather is unbeatable! After surviving
the wet dreariness of yesterday, the warmth, fluffy clouds, and blue sky were
especially beautiful. In all seriousness, archaeology is hard work; digging isn’t
easy. But it is wonderfully invigorating to work outside all day long (I enjoy
using a mattock in particular), then to be able to stand back and see all the
progress you have made. I never fail to feel an immense pride and satisfaction
when I can step back and see a job well done…Indeed, when I can see history
literally becoming unearthed, and know that I am a part of that discovery.
Guy Trevellyan,
Surrey
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| Recording Trench S |
This trip has been an excellent opportunity to uncover the
mystery that is archaeology. I have gone from the joy that is de-turfing to
uncovering hidden Saxon walls to being moved to the main trench to uncover even
more miracles. I thoroughly enjoyed the camping experience of having my tent
flooded 3 times which was eventful but none the less made the trip feel more adventurous.
I loved meeting new people who came from Sheffield University and some from the
US and Canada, it was very enjoyable especially some of the very funny
conversations but overall the experience of actually digging and finding
various mysteries and camp life really made this trip special and one that I will remember for ever.
Jonathan Rose,
Highland, ILL (USA)
So far I am really enjoying myself here in merry old
England. The food is great, the people are really friendly, and the history is
amazing. I still can’t believe I’m really here digging on an actual medieval
dig site (I must be dreaming). But it hasn’t been all sun shine and rainbows,
as a matter of fact the weather can be quite problematic. However this does not
slow the crew down, we persevere and finish the job the following day. I feel
really privileged to be here and I can’t wait to see what the next weeks have
in store for me.
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| Cleaning Trench P |
Ryan Milton,
Kinburn, Ontario (CAN)
The dig thus far has been a blast. Apart from the occasional
rain, the atmosphere on-site and in camp has been great. The professor and the
supervisors are available to answer questions, no matter how small, any time and
will take the time to ensure that you understand. With such a deep history here
at Thornton Abbey, and in the whole of Britain, this dig allows you to see
history in first-person, uncovering the past one trowel scrape at a time. Good
times in good company.
Tim Ayling, Surrey
The excavation at Thornton Abbey has been an interesting
experience, cementing my interest in the past and the “mistakes” made by a man
who saw himself as the “renaissance king”. It has been my first experience in
theoretical and practical archaeology and I have come away with damp clothes
and mud in rather strange places. However, I have really enjoyed this week,
meeting new people, especially those who have travelled across the “pond” to
trowel through “fire, wind and tempest”. Thank you to everyone who has been a
part of this wonderful experience!
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| The trench talks, in which supervisors discuss their trenches, draw each week to a close. |
