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Jul. 17th, 2009 10:52 amSo yesterday I had the opportunity to take part in an experimental archaeology Thing run by David Sims. (I say Thing because it was a cross between demonstration, workshop, and experiment.) This involved first, playing with molten lead to make plumbata, and second, five of us volunteers marching about in a field trying out different formations to protect a Dacian falxman while advancing against a Roman line. (The Roman line was played by a younger colleague of Sims.) Wooden shields, swords, and real chainmail was involved. Later we repeated the exercise, this time advancing against arrow shot.
It was perhaps the most interesting four hours I've ever spent. I think I like experimental archaeology. It brings the physical reality of ancient history more thoroughly to life than museums, books, or excavations, all though all of those are necessary.
Food is much cheaper here, especially for eating out. I've eaten for the last few days in Silchester's pub, The Calleva Arms, not being able to stand the site food during the week.
I'm very tired today, it being that time of month. I've also found, through staying at a guesthouse in Reading, that I'm no longer used to real mattresses - they're too soft! - and indoor rooms that get completely dark: in the tent there's a faint grey light even in the darkest hours, and it's never so silent: there's always the rustle of wind in the grass or the lowing of cattle a few fields over, or the sound of the rain.
Reading is dangerous to my purse, since to reach the internet cafe I must pass the bookshop, with predictable results. It's a strange town, half modern industry and grey modern development, half old houses of redbrick and flint cobb. Not unpleasant, in a very English, multicultural way. But there are some places you go and it feels like a home: I felt that way in Crete, and a handful of other places I've been. Not here, though, and I'm looking forward to going back to my home and sleeping for a week.
I'll be en route next Saturday, with luck: leave site Thursday evening, spend Friday in Reading becoming more like a human being and less like a collection of dirt and stink, and travel home Saturday. This is The Plan.
How are you guys?
It was perhaps the most interesting four hours I've ever spent. I think I like experimental archaeology. It brings the physical reality of ancient history more thoroughly to life than museums, books, or excavations, all though all of those are necessary.
Food is much cheaper here, especially for eating out. I've eaten for the last few days in Silchester's pub, The Calleva Arms, not being able to stand the site food during the week.
I'm very tired today, it being that time of month. I've also found, through staying at a guesthouse in Reading, that I'm no longer used to real mattresses - they're too soft! - and indoor rooms that get completely dark: in the tent there's a faint grey light even in the darkest hours, and it's never so silent: there's always the rustle of wind in the grass or the lowing of cattle a few fields over, or the sound of the rain.
Reading is dangerous to my purse, since to reach the internet cafe I must pass the bookshop, with predictable results. It's a strange town, half modern industry and grey modern development, half old houses of redbrick and flint cobb. Not unpleasant, in a very English, multicultural way. But there are some places you go and it feels like a home: I felt that way in Crete, and a handful of other places I've been. Not here, though, and I'm looking forward to going back to my home and sleeping for a week.
I'll be en route next Saturday, with luck: leave site Thursday evening, spend Friday in Reading becoming more like a human being and less like a collection of dirt and stink, and travel home Saturday. This is The Plan.
How are you guys?
