We wake up at 5. I'm beginning to like early mornings. The site is about 30 minutes by bus from our hotel. The bus drops us off at a dirt road where the Greek workers on the site pick us up in pick-up trucks and drive for about 5 minutes until we reach our site of Iklaina. Sitting on the edge of the back of a truck, I have definitely had my fair share of whacks to the face with an olive branch. Let me just say, they are not so peaceful.
On the site, we are excavating a palatial complex that we think may be a district palace of King Nestor. If we are right, we have uncovered a new dimension of government and politics in the Late Bronze Age Mycenaean period which shows sub-rulers beyond the state level. To corroborate this, a Linear B tablet was found at the site. Linear B is the script/language used in the Mycenaean period for tax purposes or other federal documentation, and therefore only found in important palatial complexes. There are only 5 places on Earth where Linear B is found. Iklaina makes 6. We're officially on the map. (roaring applause)
In the trench I am working on we have uncovered a drain, a wall, and part of a floor. I am learning a lot, getting very dirty, and have developed a few blisters. I do thank RISE for teaching me how to use a pick axe, because no one else knew how to do it. However, I now have to do all the pick axe work. At least I'm getting strong arm muscles!
I'm picking up a little bit of Modern Greek, but I don't know how useful it will be when I'm back in Athens. So far I know the words for please, thank you, hello, goodbye, shovel, brush, hammer, tarp, pottery, and rock. I think that can get me through the metro, right?
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