How did the Seven Dwarfs do It?

All together now:
"We dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig in a mine (or a square) the whole day through! We dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, that's what we like to do."

According to the Wheeler-Kenyon archeological method, fields are dived into squares and each square is surrounded by a "balk" or one meter wide wall. In field M, balk removal began for squares K723 and K724; supervisors: Rainbow and Rebecca respectively. Kneeling and picking away at packed topsoil for about seven hours leaves the arm rather shaky. If it weren't for the amazing battery charge we experienced in Aqaba, this might be discouraging.



Local workers helped us make real progress. Shaaker took the pick for some time while I, Rebecca, kept loose rubble swept away from the edge of the balk in an effort to keep the neighboring square from "contamination". Because squares have already revealed much, balk removal goes a bit faster than regular digging. However, Anita and I removed each 10 centimeter "peel" with care, while Aboud (rhymes with Dude) carried and sifted the contents of 68 quffas. We kept very busy.

Jun28 Justin
This past weekend in aqaba was so perfect, truly! I’d never stayed in a five star hotel before and I felt kind of guilty surrounded by so much finery and everyone was so kind. On the bus ride to aqaba, we sat by like three little boys but I only remember that two of their names were yousef and daood. It was basically impossible to communicate with them and their little sister but we gave it our best shot. I feel a little depressed here just because not many funny people decided to come this season and I saw at least four huge spiders today which is bad, bad. It helps to have a few jokesters around when you work for seven hours each day in the desert because the time passes more smoothly, the rocks you lift become lighter, and you don’t notice so much the dirt settling inside your lungs. I’m acutely aware of what an amazing experience this is, but I would really like to go home soon. Complaining isn’t usually my thing so I apologize and it won’t happen again :)