We will be living in a field camp for the duration of the field school session. For some of you, this will be a new experience, and for most of you, this will be longest camping trip of your life. I have spent many years of my life living in archaeological field camps and have narrowed down my list of field equipment to a set of key items. The list is not intended to be exhaustive, but will cover the basic things I will be bringing to the field this summer. Please note that items in the highlighted portion of the list ARE required.
Digging equipment
- Marshalltown brand masonry trowel (The brand is important, I think, and Marshalltown is the best get a size 5 or 6 diamond-shaped trowel. These can be purchased at most hardware stores (e.g., Home Depot, ACE), just ask).
- a metal file (get a "bastard file", yes, it's actually called that) for sharpening your metal trowel
- pencils, pens, eraser, small ruler, plastic protractor
- wooden sculpting tool for excavating bone, shell, and other fragile items (or, you can just get a pair of wooden chopsticks, or sharpen a wooden dowel or hardwood stick to a point)
- new (i.e., unused) small synthetic fiber paint brush (2" width)
- a pair of work gloves (leather ones are better than the rubber covered cotton gloves)
- a small case to carry your digging items
Clothing
- shorts and long pants
- swim trunks
- short sleeved and long-sleeved shirts (I like the UV resistant thin cloth shirts for hot weather)
- hooded sweatshirt
- water sandals
- rain jacket (you never know)
- large brimmed hat (baseball hats don't prevent sunburn on ears and neck areas very well) and a baseball hat
- bandanna (all purpose use, especially good for covering scorched neck area)
- bring two or three shirts and a couple pairs of shorts/pants that will only be worn as work clothes (digging is dirty work, so I will wear these clothes throughout the week and change after work)
- tennis shoes for working at the site (smooth soled shoes are best)
- hiking boots (for, well, hiking)
- sunglasses (I don't buy expensive ones, since they usually get trashed each summer)
Things to leave at home
- fireworks
- Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia
- weapons (e.g., overly large knives, firearms (including handguns))
- boom boxes
- metal detectors
- pets
- t-shirts, hats, or other clothing with controversial/offensive messages
- offensive board games (e.g. Cards Against Humanity)