When it’s breakfast time many of us reach for an easy meal: toast. Now, we come to the difficult decision of what to put on it. Many of us will choose to spread jam, butter, chocolate hazelnut spread, or even peanut butter. Among other options, some of us may also use honey. At the hotel in Zorita, we have fresh honey on hand to satisfy our sweet tooth; the delicious honey is locally farmed by a nearby friend, Rodrigo.
Read MoreWhen school is back in session, many students ask the kids who spent the summer conducting archaeology research on AFAR projects a myriad of questions. Some of them are basic, like "Was it fun?" or "How was it this year?" Despite this initial burst of questions, more pointed questions are asked when it’s time to apply. The most important -- "Which project should I sign-up for?" The purpose of this article is to showcase what the Spain trip has to offer, and why it may be the right AFAR trip for you. Starting with number 5…
Read More“One rock is a rock. Two rocks are a coincidence. Three rocks are a wall.” This is the first lesson I was taught on the site of my first archaeological expedition. My second? One can never bring too many socks.
I was a little seventh grader who left the US for the first time to excavate an ancient castle in Spain with my two siblings, my father, and many friends. Even with my lack of knowledge, they threw me in headfirst with a trowel and brand new pair of gloves— which would later be lost to the well.
Work on the site can become very tiring and for this reason, we have excursions. This year in Spain, we traveled to Candeleda. Candeleda is a region that encompasses several mountainous areas with a myriad of large, naturally formed boulders and rocks. There are also large streams of water that flow down the mountains and over the rocks. Our group began the excursion by taking a half an hour hike through moderate terrain. On the hike we regularly stopped to enjoy the beautiful scenery filled with diverse, light green plant life. After finishing the hike, we were immediately greeted with a set of waterfalls. When we all jumped in…
Read MoreWe caught up with Catalina high on a hilltop at the Zorita de los Canes project, not far from Madrid where she grew up. She’s in here element — surrounded by hard-working students conducting archaeology research for AFAR. Catalina speaks of her work as a privilege, rather than a job, and credits her love of travel and the outdoors guiding her to this life-long profession.
Read MoreThe AFAR program that Davidson Day offers is truly extraordinary and incomparable to any experience I have ever participated in. Not only is the opportunity to excavate ancient archeological sites incredible, but the memories I’ve made throughout my time in the program have shaped many aspects of my life and have contributed to who I am as a person.
Being an “outsider” student from Kentucky, I originally joined the program with no expectations to avoid any form of disappointment
Read MoreAfter a long day of excavation at the site Zorita de los Canes, our team enjoys nothing more than a relaxing visit to the Rio Tajo. At the river, our crew can be found swimming in its cool depths or swinging off of a rope swing that is located near its edge. Our group loves the river so much because the water is a lot colder than other rivers that we have grown accustomed to. This means that the hot and sweaty feeling we have from digging can disappear in an instant after entering the water. This refresher is a big part of our motivation through the rest of the day and it relaxes us so that we can be prepared for the next day on the site. It has become a tradition to visit the river everyday after excavation for this very reason.
Read MoreAs a young boy, he lived in Belize and never imagined his professional career studying Mesoamerican cultures would bring him back to the country that kick-started his interest in Archaeology. Meet AFAR Staffer and Archaeologist, Stan Guenther…
Read MoreWant to know more about the game-changer that can benefit the college application process? In this interview with Tia Sullivan, Davidson Day College Counselor and former college admissions officer, she spells out the reasons student should take part in experiences like AFAR.
Read MoreTo gain a glimpse into the lives of the students who spend their summer conducting archeological research, we sat down with veteran Matthew Hines to learn more about what he gives to, and gained from, his AFAR experiences in Spain.
Read MoreIt takes passion and pursuit to oversee four archeological sites in four countries, where he takes between 60-70 students each summer to gain valuable, hands-on field research experience. Listen in on a conversation between AFAR Board Chair, David Hamme, and Mat Saunders, Founder and Executive Director.
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