Domuztepe dig diary

Week three: in the shade

British Museum curator Alexandra Fletcher reports from Domuztepe

This week has seen the construction and testing of a shade for our excavation areas. Shade netting from a plant nursery was balanced over the work area using guy ropes, metal pegs, stones and drain pipes.

Nothing can be hammered into the ground inside the trench as it might damage the archaeology. So, the plastic drainpipes sit on the soil and are held in place by the guy ropes. In the hot weather the shade has proved popular and seemed incredibly robust.

Excavators merrily strolled around in its greenish shadows without needing sun cream or hats, creating much jealousy among those still toiling in the full sun. Nonchalance was short-lived however, as the hot weather brought with it thunderstorms and high winds. A guy rope snapped and seconds later the shade collapsed, leaving excavators scrambling out from underneath. One archaeologist bravely fought to protect a surface he had just cleaned, but eventually had to admit defeat.

Since then, however, the shade has remained in place without incident, thanks to new, stronger guy ropes.

Next week brings changes to the team as we lose the geophysical surveyors who are going to other projects. It is always sad to see people leave, but tradition has it that if you throw water over the dig’s minibus as they go, they will come back again. This means you have to remember to close the minibus windows before you leave otherwise you get a soaking.

Read more about the Domuztepe research project

Images (from top):

• The new shade in position
• Excavating an ancient oven