I spent the 1st 10 years of my life digging in the sand with my little pail and shovel on the beaches of Chicago. That must left a major groove in my brain because I’ve loved to dig ever since. Archaeology, didn’t seem like a major stretch from digging in the sand so when I found out that many “Digs” take volunteers with no experience, weeks of internet surfing started.

I finally came up with an Earthwatch Institute expedition, “Origins of Angkor” which takes place in Ban Non Wat, Thailand, lead by Professor Charles F.W. Higham, University of Otago and St. Catharine’s College, New Zealand.

Our fearless leader, on the “Origins of Ankor” Thailand dig

This dig met my parameters – there would be a team of 12-15; we stayed in the modern Phimai Inn with showers, beds and clean linens every day; three meals a day included (and the food got rave reviews from former volunteers).

Also, Earthwatch maintains that their expeditions are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE! (We’ll find out if the IRS audits our 2005 tax return and let you know.)

The fact that we were going to work like little beavers, six days a week, from 8a-4p every day and pay for this privilege didn’t really register. And, in the 36-page brochure sent by Earthwatch, the only part the ex-marine read was: “Do not enter the square in the morning until the Thai workers have checked it for intruders (such as snakes). Snakes (including cobras): Villagers know of dangerous snakes and deal with them quickly” I got a burst of profanity along with, “are you out of your cotton-picking mind?” But, great guy that he is, ex-marine (Steve) came around and became enthusiastic.

Ban Non Wat was occupied from about 2100 BC and this was the 4th (or 5th) dig season. The dig layers start from Iron Age, down to Bronze Age, down to Neolithic with unbelievable finds. Skeletons, pots, and other items galore!

It sounded very exciting (at least to me). We signed on for a two-week stint on Team II and we’re off to Thailand using Bangkok as our in-and-out points.