Finds management assistant
Having enjoyed my first experience of Andros and the Zagora Archaeological Project in 2013, I was keen to return for the 2014 season. I had mentioned to the Directors of the project at the end of last year’s season that should they need any extra assistance for 2014 that I would love to be part of the team in any capacity.
And so here I am back on beautiful Andros, as a member of the study season team working in the Apothike (basement/storeroom) of the Archaeological Museum in Chora. For me this has been a great experience as I have been able to work with the Project Research team, Director, Stavros Paspalas; Researcher and Archivist, Beatrice Mcloughlin and Archaeologists Kristen Mann and Antonio Bianco, who are both Trench Supervisors for the 2014 season.
For two weeks we have been working with and studying material and finds from the first excavations in the 1960s, archiving material from the 2013 field season, and preparing for new material from the 2014 excavations. We were also joined by Annie Hooten our Archaeological Illustrator and Rudy Alagich, an archaeologist who worked on bone fragments.
The “behind the scenes” work carried out by the Archive and Research team before, during and continuing once the excavations have finished is the backbone of the project. As the information gathered from the excavated material by first, washing, sorting and then studying the finds in great detail, does the story start to reveal itself as to how those living at Zagora ate, drank and worked, basically their daily lives. It’s like working on a jigsaw puzzle, putting the tiniest of fragments together to reconstruct a cup, which can reveal where it was made, from what, and possibly its contents when last used.
For me to be given the opportunity to part of this team, is a fantastic experience.
Here are some other shots in and around the Museum:
It hasn’t been all work though…. on our days off, we’ve been enjoying Andros sights.
4 thoughts on “Zagora Project pre-excavation study season September 2014”
Hi – nice article, thanks. I have a question that may not be entirely appropriate for you, but perhaps somebody could answer it? While we were sitting on Batsi beach in June my wife noted that it faces south, and said that there must have been some effect there when Thira erupted in – what – 1500 BCE? I realise that Zagora post-dates this event, but do you ever come across any signs of it?
Hi Malcolm, I asked our archaeologists who believe that the tephra fall-out from Thira clouded south-south-east. We’re not aware of any geological research into this topic on Andros so, sorry, are not able to provide information about this. Glad you liked the post.
Hi Annette.
What a wonderful surprise to hear from you.
You certainly are an exciting and interesting little chookie.
Taking on all those challenges and mixing with such interesting friends. You please be careful driving that little car you will most certainly will get a booking from the Radar trap !!!!
All good here, we are well tripping around. Enjoying the nomad life.
Keep we’ll and play safe.
Love Shazzx
Thanks for replying to the post Shaz,
All good on the roads here, am taking it slow and safe, even if it is considered to be on the wrong side!
The project team includes students and archaeologists of varying ages from Australia, Italy, Germany, Turkey, France and Greece. Archaeology is the primary reason we are here, however everyone brings a different life story and background to the project. This provides a fantastic and interesting group of people with which to work and to swap stories with around the table at dinner. All in all this makes for a great working environment for all team members.
Enjoy the rest of your travels. Maybe Andros will be on your next travel plan.