Volunteers and staff were up bright and early this morning -- even before the sun -- as the 2016 field season got underway. The wake up call came at 4:30 am and the bus left for the site at 5:00 am. It was a fast start to the day.
Arriving at the compound
The tool container
After picking up the necessary tools, volunteers headed out for their first day of digging. The first day is all about cleaning and volunteers spent the morning "cleaning the dirt." Everyone took a break for field breakfast at 9:00 and then it was back to work. At 11:00 volunteers broke for fruit break, a short 15 minute period to relax, refill water bottles, and find out how quickly they could fall asleep. (Then, of course, they needed to decide whether a 15 minute nap was a good or a bad thing.)
Work wrapped up at 1:00 and then it was back to the hotel for a shower, lunch, a welcome meeting and then, at long last, free time. Until tomorrow, when everyone wakes up and does it all over again.
The 2016 field season has started and it promises to be a fun one. Check back for regular updates on our progress.