To dig or not to dig? This was the question I turned over in my mind as the temperature continued to climb at Vigla this Saturday. Due to an unexpected change in the shooting practice schedule on the British military base we wound up with a rushed exit from site on Thursday. We came to find out that while digging on Friday was still possible, the coming week was no longer going to be available for us to dig. To make up for the missed days to come we wound up with MSU students digging on Saturday and the choice for an optional dig day on Sunday. This would mean a straight 7 days of waking up at 4 am and working hard under the blazing sun. This week has been exceptionally hot, with temps grazing 100 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity which thickens the air. While I am sure many archaeologists rarely get the option of choice, I think many have probably wrestled between discomfort and the rush that comes from an exciting dig. What is it that keeps those in the field coming back day after day, year after year? Is it passion for knowledge, the rush of discovery, the flood of hormones from a good workout? From what I can tell of watching our amazing trench supervisors, it has got to be at least a little of all three. I, at least, am certainly feeling all of this. And so, the decision has been made, I am digging! I honestly cannot wait to once again wake before the morning sun, to be drenched in sweat, turning the caked dirt on my skin to mud. It is a beautiful experience to do such physical work, and sometimes difficult to respect your own body’s needs. There must be days of restoration, to relax tired muscles and rehydrate dried skin. I think this is something that may be difficult for many of us to listen to and respect. After all, of course we want to be out there learning and finding what we look at as amazing things, even all those broken bits of tiny pottery thrill. Today my body feels strong and well rested, so digging is something I feel ready and able to do, but rest must come eventually, and that for me will be Monday, I hope this will also be the day that we all get to sleep in an extra hour or too, take our time sipping coffee, eating pastries, wandering around the city, or just staying in an air conditioned room. While the dig is amazing and I am so grateful to be here, I know to continue in the best state of body and mind mellow days must be taken, and I think most archaeologists must be very familiar with the need for this balance, and my hope is that most have had the opportunity to take it.

-Grace Simonsen