Archaeology in the field and beyond

By Lilian G.K.

For a student looking towards a career in archaeology, or any kind of rich and broad life, an archaeological dig is what you make it. A good fieldwork experience will leave you enriched holistically, and will clarify, consolidate, or even alter your trajectory altogether. EVOKE 2026 has certainly had those effects for me, and I can already observe that for most of my peers here, in different ways, this season will mark a significant moment in our academic, professional, and personal development. It has also given me transferable skills within and beyond archaeology. 

EVOKE 2026 has been my second fieldwork experience, and already I am learning that no two digs are the same. Especially when one of them is new. Participating in the very first season of an archeological project is a unique and educational experience. It has been a privilege. In a state of constant feedback and communication, the whole team has collaborated to construct an operational foundation of routines and conventions. The process of coordinating EVOKE 2026 has been transparent, and for me, this has been a particularly fruitful characteristic of this fieldwork experience. Over the past three weeks, I and my peers have observed and participated actively in the decisions being made day-to-day. The visibility and democratic nature of decision making at EVOKE has allowed me to come away with a deep and intimate understanding of the logistical mechanics that underpin any archaeological project. It has also given me newfound confidence in navigating between hierarchy and collaboration - skills that are transferable to a range of professional sectors. The nuances of balancing reverence for the experience and knowledge of senior staff with fostering affinity and comradery within a group are learnt through accumulated experience. All of the staff have been immensely generous with their time, interest, and mentorship, especially considering their constant responsibilities during an active and demanding season.

A view of the Vythoulas area from a distance.

This season has also laid the foundations of the project’s culture, in which staff and students are uniquely integrated as we all navigate, with good will, the changing landscape of demands and the inevitable moments of uncertainty inherent to fieldwork. At the close of the season, the character of EVOKE is emerging: it is collaborative, dynamic, and community-oriented, with a unique appreciation for impact within and beyond archaeology. It is an ethos that all involved can be proud of. I have found particular joy in working within an international team, hailing from a diversity of disciplines, specializations, and interests. The days spent amongst people who are curious and open to learning about one another’s languages, experiences, and interests is something I have found especially fruitful. Having studied anthropology in parallel with archaeology, I find such environments endlessly fascinating and enriching. 

For a student, a dig is also an opportunity to reflect not only on what staff (and peers) have to offer you in terms of mentorship and wisdom, but also on what your own contribution may be. When approached with humility, it is a rich environment in which we can come to terms with our own capacities, limitations, and opportunities for growth. Fieldwork is physically, intellectually, and socially challenging, resulting in a unique opportunity for holistic development. These experiences also translate into transferable professional skills: I can say that I have worked collaboratively with individuals of diverse backgrounds and experience levels to achieve collective goals in a timely manner.

The work of an excavation is also appreciated by the body and the soul – though my teammates may scoff at this suggestion, especially after a day of using heavy tools on stony compact soil, or crouching for hours in the summer sun! But I can also attest I can work in physically and psychologically demanding environments. It is true that I have met many a seasoned trench supervisor with a back injury, but whilst still young and naïve, I can tell myself everything is good in moderation. I know already that, with a few months back home to forget about aching joints, my itch to get back to digging has a habit of returning. And of course, the cliché about soaking up the Greek sun, sea, and all of the other nourishment offered by this place is well founded.

What has proven most salient for me about EVOKE has been the sense of agency I have felt in accumulating skills, connections, and perspective. This I owe to the quality (in attitudes, knowledge, and character) of the staff and students with whom I have been able to spend the last three weeks. 

Regardless of where one is headed, an experience such as EVOKE 2026 could never be wasted. Aside from building a life-long aptitude with a trowel, shovel, and pick, and a familiarity with pottery typologies, the real fruits of fieldwork are the skills of communication, collaboration, and initiative, which are sure to foster the confidence to meet almost any professional, academic, or social experience.