Talk dirt to me.

oh how i love my little test tubes of cave dirt. my sweet sweet soil. they can fit so many secrets

I do not want my fantasy media to be realistic. I want my fantasy media to be convincing.

That’s an excellent distinction.

@pancakesandfanficforbreakfast thanks for the desert specific advice!

The above pictures really says all the most important things but I just want to second them and add:

- if you hate hats, replace them with a scarf, AS LONG AS YOU COVER YOUR HEAD.

- please do not underestimate previous posters words, if something doesn't feel right? TELL SOMEONE.

- with deserts often comes bad plumbing and internal body issues. Take something in your medkit that can stop diarrhea, and pack ORS (oral rehydration power).

- also I agree with long sleeves and pants but may I add: layers. Because temperatures fluctuate I generally dress in tons of those. And tons of scarves. Multipurpose! Sun and cold protection!

- with deserts come desert creatures. Always check your shoes before you put them on and don't bring any flip-flops. I know it's hard to wear heavy duty shoes in the desert, but you still wanna do it. Shoes with good grip and safety tips ftw.

- please don't sit down on random rocks, there could be critters under them.

- bring plastic covers for any electronics you might want to bring. Sand gets all over the place. I cover my laptop keyboard with a plastic sheet and tape that down, to keep my devices from getting clogged with sand and overheating.

- no idea where in the world your desert is, but if you're going to the middle east, it's not altogether unlikely you won't be doing any digging (as there are often local professionals that will be hired to do this) and will be focussing on registration. I like having my own pencils and measuring stuff, but in general a lot of this is provided by excavations especially if you are an intern.

- If your desert is somewhere with inconsistent power supply (like Egypt is) buy an extension chord for your devices that comes with a surge protector switch, that'll automatically switch itself off if something weird happens to the power. This has saved my laptop from frying lime 5 times already.

- don't forget sunglasses.

- don't underestimate the sun, apply your aforementioned sunscreen twice a day. The sun reflects back up from the sand and heatstroke is no fun.

- I find in the deserts pencils are usually more reliable than pens, especially if they're gel-based, bc the sand fucks with them.

- if you do want to bring some of your own stuff and you suspect you'll be doing mostly registration and processing, these are some things I always have in my bag: water, snack, medkit, sunscreen, field notebook, tapemeasure, masking tape, magnifying glass, calipers/pottery profile comb*, small knife, (water)level, string, small northarrow for impromptu photos, pencils, dentists tools, toothbrush(to clean objects), (findbags & labels - the dig will 100% provide those for you)

*there will almost certainly be calipers and combs on site. In my experience they are almost always shit, so I have my own XD

I think thats everything useful I can think of...

All of the above! On top of all this great advice I will just add my little contribution.

1. Learn the signs for heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration. Keep an eye on yourself and others and don't be afraid to speak up. YOUR SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING.

2. Related to hydration, I like liquid IV or nuun to help with hydration and electrolytes. Remember it should be a 1:1 ratio of electrolyte solution to water. Alternate! I have a 32oz bottle so I would drink 32 oz of electrolyte solution and then 32oz of water. If you are using Gatorade, half the Gatorade! The sugar in it does not help a ton with hydration so for 32oz of water do 16oz of Gatorade.

3. Bring mole skin for blisters. And Neosporin or other antibacterial cremes for cuts and scrapes. You will thank me later.

4. If you have your field shoes start breaking them in ASAP.

5. Walking in sand can be real funky and really mess with your joints. Stretch when you get back to camp to avoid pain and tendonitis.

6. Remember to keep your field journal up to date. This is a very important part not only of the archaeological work but it really helps your mental state when you are out in the field. Write in the rain journals are my preference but any brand that makes your waterproof papers will work. Please please please get waterproof journals.

7. It's tough to cover everything, but don't worry you will learn! That's what field school is for! Have fun, learn, and get a little dirty! (Not field flings though that shit gets MESSY keep everything professional in the field ALWAYS for your safety and the safety of others.)

vintage pillow belonging to my mother that gets funnier the longer I look at it

After a long day...

(goes through an extended magical girl transformation, by the end of which I look the exact same, except I immediately shoot you with my perfectly normal gun that wasn’t there before)

Yes! Please contact your SHPO or THPO office! There are some areas that also have historic preservation offices on a county level (Texas specifically) that may be able to help as well.

They may ask for pictures and some basic information.

I will note that if it is private land, they cannot enter the property to look at artifacts or anything without permission (Trespassing is illegal).

I must also add that collecting or taking archaeological materials from public land is illegal.

But your SHPO/THPO or historical offices will let you know what they need/want from you if you find something on your land. Each place will be slightly different based on state legislation. If you do have a THPO I HIGHLY recommend getting them involved.

This is why fieldwork safety is of utmost importance. I've been in situations where it felt like my safety was not the primary concern, and I constantly worried about things like this happening.

OSHA guidelines are written in blood. They're there for a reason. Don't ever let someone convince you to compromise on your safety. (link to tweet) (link to news coverage)

The incredible bond between archaeologist and their flannel shirt

# NOTHING SAYS BEING AT AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE WHEN IT’S COLD LIKE WATCHING EVERYONE # YOURSELF INCLUDED # PUT A FLANNEL SHIRT OVER THEIR FLANNEL SHIRT (via @wafflelovingbatgirl​ )

One of my archaeology coworkers had a flannel shirt that was a little too thin... she sunburned the dark stripes of the plaid pattern right onto her arms.

I cannot believe there are people who genuinely believe that ethnic groups living in deserts walk around half naked to “deal with the heat” and that we actually wear typical bellydancing garb casually…orientalism truly has rotted your brain

Native Americans have similar traditional dress in the Southwest, here are some Diné (Navajo) traditional styles:

I’m crumbly like a dirt don’t pick me up

That GIF is killing me

those is mcdonalds jeans?

Fun fact: those McDonald’s jeans are part of the standard uniform here in Colombia. I’ve tried at least 16x to ask where they source them, if I can buy them from the manager, even going McDonald’s not to order food but just to ask for the jeans. I asked someone high up in their marketing dept here to see if maybe they know which company sourced them, and still couldn’t get my hands on a pair. Apparently employees only get one pair per year. They’re slightly high-waisted, they taper very slightly, they’re always kind of high water at the bottom, and they’re the perfect light jean color. They’re not stiff, they’re not that stretchy, they’re the perfect denim material. They come with a cloth belt that’s either yellow or turquoise, and the stitching on the M is almost sensual. I will not give up

theres a hourse in the dirve through

could you please stay on topic

I think the only universal experience amongst archaeologists is that we have all, at least once, enjoyed digging a really nice hole and then gotten very sad when there was nothing in it.

Look at this beautiful hole. Absolutely nothing in it though :'(

There, fixed it :)

Everybody post pics of you in your holes!!

(This is from undergrad. It was also empty until I remedied it)

I know. I know. I KNOW

Tomorrow we are doing PEDESTRIAN SURVEYS!!! I am so hyped to walk slowly and look at the ground

My dear anon-

WHAT DESERT ARE YOU IN THAT DOESNT HAVE TICKS? MY DESERT HAS TICKS AND SNAKES AND SCORPIONS!?! I WANT YOUR DESERT