How to Pack for an Archaeological Dig

[@elena-zr8mf]

Where is your Indiana Jones hat from?? I want it!!

[@DigItWithRaven]

This is a hat from Tilley Endurables! They're a Canadian company and their hats are amazing!

[@DigItWithRaven]

You can wash them in the washing machine, and they are guaranteed for life so if it gets destroyed, stolen or lost, you get a new one!

[@elena-zr8mf]

@@DigItWithRaven Awesome! Thank you very much

[@DigItWithRaven]

@@elena-zr8mf It's my pleasure!

[@professionalvr]

As a person, who received a PhD in Classical archaeology around three months ago, I'm also packing for an archaeological dig at Almus. The clothes that I choose for my digs, depending on the season, are: long or short cargo pants, hiking boots, T-shirts, shirts, jacket, sweaters, long brim hats or baseball caps.

[@zrashid3350]

These tips are great! Im going on my first training dig at university and this really helped me pack the right stuff. Thanks so much!!!

[@eliFreakland]

Im going in my first dig this summer. This is the video that helped me prepare the most!

[@vickyintexas3358]

This was great. I haven't been on a dig since grad school. I ended up doing something else: $10 per hour for contact work wasn't working :( But I loved this! It's interesting to see how little has changed: this was basically my packing list 20 years ago. The only thing I always packed that you didn't was a long skirt for museums/churches on the weekend, but maybe you don't need those anymore? Thank you for this! It makes me miss it.

[@karleybioanthro]

Yass!! This is going to be perfect for Olduvai Gorge!!

[@DigItWithRaven]

Happy to help! I did a proper blog post with links and pics if you need to all written down when it comes time to pack. The link is in the description!

[@Sam4Slam]

This is the best kind of video I could have found in this period, I've just sent the requests to two of my university's sites

[@DigItWithRaven]

Oooh good luck with the requests! Happy to help

[@Sam4Slam]

@@DigItWithRaven let's hope they accept me HAHA

[@DigItWithRaven]

@@Sam4Slam haha all my fingers crossed for you! What sites are you hoping to go to?

[@Sam4Slam]

@@DigItWithRaven both here in Italy. One is Calvatone (the Roman Bedriacum) and the other is Tarquinia

[@DigItWithRaven]

@@Sam4Slam they sound amazing! Best of luck!!

[@davidbunnetto5625]

I love what you are doing. DONT STOP

[@cameronw.898]

Loved this video! I would have never thought to bring a swimming suit and nice clothes but it makes sense. Ha! Yeaaaah. The Schliemann package sounds like an all expenses paid vacation in an adults only hotel. 😆

[@tjswc1458]

Thanks for the good video. It’s very helpful, especially for me for my first fieldschool

[@DigItWithRaven]

I'm happy to help! Where are you going to be excavating?

[@tjswc1458]

At a palace of Khirbat al-Minya in Israel.

[@Tinkering4Time]

Thanks for the tips. Trying to get going as a volunteer until I can get back into academia.

[@leahveal5470]

This is cool! First time ever seeing travel essentials for archaeological digs!

[@DigItWithRaven]

Thanks so much! Happy you like it

[@-----REDACTED-----]

Schliemann package... Honni soit qui mal y pense. 😂😂😂 Also the best trowel is the one you have available to you. I guess a sleeping bag liner could be useful. Trousers by Engelbert Strauss! Great workwear brand! Love their roughtough line since it hasn't failed me so far. Also love their Altra boots, full S3 level protection! Also you might want to consider a hydration bladder to take more water with you because that 1 litre probably won't cut it in hot weather.

[@edrieledgardo7265]

You rock Raven!!

[@DigItWithRaven]

Aweee thanks so much!

[@Freyaswoods]

YOURE A LIFESAVER

[@gsillevis]

Oh man I hate packing! Thanks for this! I will definitely use your cool tips

[@DigItWithRaven]

Glad you liked it! Good luck with the packing

[@williammoore4646]

Well done, enjoyable and informative.

[@elliotmaxwell6817]

about to start a new job as a field tech and this is so helpful !!

[@jaredharvill4442]

Ugh please please please I need to know how to be able to go on digs internationally. Please do a video on this or if there is one you’ve made and idk about it, please direct us to it!!

[@angelseraphin1]

Uh trowels! I like to have the Battiferio, it's an italian brand and I really like them. The toilet paper is a good reminder! I always forget it and then i will use tissues, guess thats also fine. All in all a really good list! All of the things u mention are in my suitcase and Engelbert Strauss is a very good brand for any kind of field work.

[@DigItWithRaven]

Oooh I need to look up these trowels! I feel like I want to collect them all and make a comparison video

[@angelseraphin1]

@@DigItWithRaven Really? Sounds expensive! I order them via praehistorika.de, its a german online shop.

[@DigItWithRaven]

@@angelseraphin1 thanks for the tip! It'll be expensive for sure, but maybe I can get a free samples from companies 😅

[@angelseraphin1]

Dig It With Raven wish you the best! 🙈 hopefully it’s working 😁 will be excited for that video!

[@DigItWithRaven]

@@angelseraphin1 thanks!! Fingers crossed I can actually make it haha

[@briggs5534]

a couple of very handy additions? line level - cos these are always lost... zip ties and duct tap ... those emergency repairs that always crop up ... and maybe a super strong, flexible glue like gorilla glue or shoe goo...

[@DigItWithRaven]

Shoe glue!!! I love that suggestion. Zip ties are always handy as well

[@vickyintexas3358]

Line level + Brunton compass = old school!

[@Andrea_Manconi]

Did you check out the soldering and steel on WHS? The blade will make 10 digs at least! Anyway, I think it's very smart to choose your trowel depending on what soil you're going to dig: not every soil you're going to dig need small, thick trowels.

[@Shakspier]

Are there specific “archeology tool kits” that has a general set of tools that one could purchase? I have seen “geology tool kits” but I am not sure about that.

[@johnbuck90]

Great video Raven! Regarding digs, if you’re not part of an organised group, do you pay to go on a dig (e.g. in Egypt) or are there digs where you can get paid? Many thanks!

[@jefffarago8282]

Just subscribed and look forward to your other videos. What brand are the multi pocket pants you showed? My wife would like to browse their site. Thanks

[@karleybioanthro]

Can you talk more about being veggie in the field??

[@DigItWithRaven]

Ooooh this is a good idea! I'll see what I can do

[@cliffwilkey]

Thank you for the informational video. I can't wait to attend my school's field school next year! :)

[@DigItWithRaven]

Happy to help, and have the best time!! It's always a great experience

[@classicslover]

JUST subscribed! Watched a few of previous ones...Indy...The Mummy..Tomb Raider. SO educational. And fun. And animated. Not that you're a cartoon....but entertaining. Any theater background? What is the site in Oman? Would love to work on a dig someday. Would love to finance a dig someday. I tracked a Sasquatch once. Heard of a sighting north...heard of a sighting south. Guessed the probable path of something that big with the available cover. Intersected myself randomly. Found footprints. You'll be pleased that I documented it all. I know, I know: NOT archaeology. More The Mummy 3. Which was not the same without Rachel Weisz.

[@DigItWithRaven]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@DigItWithRaven]

The dig was called Ra's Al Jinz in Oman. It was an early bronze age site and it's located on a turtle reserve which was amazing! And I definitely agree, The Mummy 3 without Rachel Weisz was worthless haha

[@classicslover]

A turtle reserve? Must be on the coast then. You got to use the bathing suit you packed! Cool! And my background is film...and theater...and TV, so yes...with the Mummy movies the Brendan Fraser/Rachel Weisz relationship was the core of those films, so switching out Rachel for ANYBODY no matter how talented...just no. AND because of my background...trust me: YOU are talented Raven. Great presence and comfort on screen, entertaining and educational without making us feel that you are "dumbing it down" for us! You appeal to a broader audience that way. Let's just say I am impressed. Kudos!

[@classicslover]

And as for subscribing...the pleasure was all mine.

[@DigItWithRaven]

@@classicslover Awe thanks so much for your support! I just wanted to create a community that took all this academia stuff down from its ivory tower and make it for everyone so they all can be excited about this stuff and learn!

[@miguelcalvillo504]

I really enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing :)

[@DigItWithRaven]

Thanks for watching!! ☺️

[@taliamacbeth1214]

Hey, what brand is your dig bag? Mine fell apart last season and I need a new one. Also, thanks for the video always fun to see what other people pack (as a fellow vegetarian, I completely agree with protein powder and bars my first dig season I kinda died from lack of protein 🤷‍♀️oops)

[@DigItWithRaven]

I use Quechua! I'm not sure how worldwide the brand is, but it is huge in Europe and you can get them at Decathlon! They also make great sleeping bags and... Well everything else really haha. I'm so glad other people also bring protein! Had a few stares this last time around because I was the only veg. We gotta stick together!

[@SoilmateCH]

Talia, if you are looking for a fully waterproof dig bag, I can recommend the Zulu bags. I work only on rescue digs where it doesn't matter if it's raining or not and that bag can take mud, water and you can throw it at the excavator if needed.

[@taliamacbeth1214]

Vorusse Awesome, I’ll check it out thanks for the recommendation normally I’m digging in Ireland so waterproof is always better.

[@DigItWithRaven]

@@taliamacbeth1214 this one isn't waterproof but it does come with a rain cover in the bottom!

[@DigItWithRaven]

@@SoilmateCH these bags sound amazing!

[@djork6518]

got my first dig soon! what bag is that :0

[@crmosteller74]

Love your hat

[@rolfrolf9176]

What's it with the Marshalltown trowels, I would pick WHS over them any day.

[@DigItWithRaven]

Everyone has their favourite haha. I recently tried out a WHS and also loved how small it was. I guess it's also what you're used to working with

[@TheRaiden316]

One thing I'm wondering: do archiologists ever come into conflict with grave robbers? I mean I've heard at least one account of one getting mugged for items to sell on the black market while he was excavating a myan ruin. Does your crew ever employ locas as security? Do digging tools ever get pressed into service as weapons of opertunity?

[@lavenderorc1325]

I am a kid and thank you but what suit case

[@robonintendo]

This is largely identical to what I would pack in the army. I would add a camelbak with the water bottle as well as purification tablets. With the sleeping bag I would add an air mattress or foam roll to sleep on. Most of my kit is in cadpat which I would avoid using in certain places. Always better to not look like a hostile while on a dig lol. Overall well done, and good luck in Oman :)

[@DigItWithRaven]

That's really interesting and useful to know that I would almost be prepared for the army haha. Thanks so much for watching and all the best :)

[@davidianhowe]

We have the same boots 👏

[@DigItWithRaven]

Ah no way! I love them so much

[@JonesLeFae]

What company do you work for that sends you to different countries? THis was a cool video , but as an archaeologist in the US, there were a few things that I used to bring with me but I stopped because I rarely use them. My multi-tool got taken away at the airport because I had it in my backpack rather than in checked luggage :(. Don't take anything sharp with you on the plane!

[@JonesLeFae]

I've been following you on IG for a while but I didn't even know you were on YT until today when the algorithm showed me this video. I have a few archaeology videos on my channel but it's mostly vegan cooking.

[@changoraider2]

Bellota trowels are good too. I always forget my power bank

[@DigItWithRaven]

I heard about those! I need to look them up

[@changoraider2]

@@DigItWithRaven Nice tool! I use one

[@DigItWithRaven]

@@changoraider2 they look great!

[@freshpieforsale]

Where are your pants from?

[@Beltayn7272]

No watch?

[@Tokrm]

Everyone knows the WHS is what you want to get through the tough stuff

[@DigItWithRaven]

And the war begins!

[@AndNowIJustSitInSilence]

funny, I filmed a video like this in 2015, but never did anything with it

[@tashamuir8193]

The she we!! 😂

[@tashamuir8193]

Great video! Very useful packing tips, even for people that are just backpacking

[@DigItWithRaven]

The best and greatest invention for women, ever!!

[@DigItWithRaven]

@@tashamuir8193 thanks, love! 🥰🥰

[@herstory4768]

You sound like monica from friends with different categories lol

[@davidianhowe]

There's Marshalltown and then there's garbage

[@DigItWithRaven]

Hope you noticed that it was your reply I posted on the vid 😅

[@DigItWithRaven]

I did try out a WHS while in Oman and it was super sturdy and tiny. I can see the benefit, but I'm still partial to Marshall

[@davidianhowe]

@@DigItWithRaven hahaha no but now I do!

[@davidianhowe]

@@DigItWithRaven Nice, I've actually never tried one but I should branch out.

[@leahveal5470]

P.S. do people need a PhD in order to become an archaeologist?

[@DigItWithRaven]

You do not! You are able to do basic commercial archaeology with a BA, but usually a Masters is best. A PhD would only be if you want to continue with further research or to teach :)

[@alexdawson5293]

take sunscreen, but if you are a redhead... Good luck

[@dayanandaswamyrc548]

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[@hamzaaburgheba9585]

Thinks mess.

[@amandajones8841]

Not enough dynamite for a Schliemann package