Archaeology Rocks

Exchange programmes usually allow you to take a few papers outside your general specialisation. This meant that I could take it a little bit easier on my own major and prod around a bit more on other subjects, like archaeology.

The introductory course for Archaeology in UCD (ARCH10010 - or Archeology 101 in Auckland terms) is interesting but since it was an early morning lecture I couldn't help but miss it every now and then. (Fine, 11am isn't early at all but it is before noon, hence morning, hence early.) The point of taking archaeology is not lectures though, it's field trips, and handling whips, and wearing fedoras, and deciphering ancient codes, and escaping poison arrows from tribal men.

The first field trip we went to was the Hill of Tara. This hill is an archaeological complex in County Meath, and contains a number of ancient monuments, and, according to tradition, was the seat of the High Kind of Ireland (thank you Wikipedia). You can look up the specific archaeological details on your own at this link: http://www.megalithicireland.com/Hill%20of%20Tara.htm. But here's the thing about Hill of Tara - if you don't have an eye for the geophysics of medieval Irish archaeology, don't go. To the untrained eye, the Hill of Tara is nothing but an extremely large area of bumpy grass. Unless you go on a plane for an aerial view (which then looks like awesome crop circles), you won't know what you're doing or looking at walking around this place. If you still decide to go, it may be worth investing on a good guide and good, sturdy wellingtons/galoshes/gumboots/rainboots in winter.

How archaeologists see it.

How I see it.

These burial monuments are fun to run up. And perhaps roll down on a warm, sunny day.

Our second archeology field trip was based on the National Museum of Archaeology. Unlike the Hill of Tara, this place is a great place to gather basic knowledge about Irish archaeology, and you don't need to be an archaeological expert to be impressed with what's behind the showcases. I came here once more after the field trip for my own enjoyment. Lots to see and ponder and be inspired from the wit we have descended from. Photography is strictly prohibited but here are some sneak peeks.

Bog body, God knows how he ended up like this.

Two men throwing dogs at giant Me Gusta.

There is also a very sociable Archaeology society in UCD (life-size Indiana Jones poster and lollipops lured me in during Fresher's week). I didn't get to attend all their events but they have medieval walking tours hosted by good looking archaeological tutors, plus archaeology-themed movie nights, large-scale archaeology field trips, and guest speakers who are giants in this field. I wish I attended more of their events but since I joined every society offering goody bags, I ended up not being able to handle all of them.

Much to my disappointment we didn't fight snakes or ancient tribes or repel voodoo spells or get to run from big rolling boulders, but then again all that could have happened in them early morning classes when I was too busy being lazy and playing Monkey Island V. Maybe this semester I'll actually go to campus so that I stop sounding like a dimwit on my blog.