UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY
Marothodi is something of an Archaeologist’s dream. Apart from the sheer size of the site, the state of preservation is excellent. Most of the stone walls are still standing and the remains of many structures and features are visible above the ground surface. This level of accessibility makes it an ideal site on which to gain archaeological experience, as participants are able to get their hands on real archaeology almost immediately. They can become involved in the processes of excavation, recording and materials processing from the very beginning of their experience.
Meanwhile, everyone will also be learning ‘on-the-job’ - doing real archaeology that makes an important contribution to the research. This may sound like a heavy responsibility for a complete beginner, but each participant is allocated to a Field Supervisor – an experienced Archaeologist who will be working alongside to offer continual guidance and instruction.
Participants who are being assessed are also required to keep an excavation diary, in which all training and personal activities on site should be recorded. The diary will form part of your evaluation
In addition, participants are encouraged to share their endeavours with the rest of the group by discussing their own ‘patch’ on the Friday afternoon site tour. Public presentation is an important skill for the budding Archaeologist, and this is a good way for everyone to keep up with developments on different parts of the site. The Director will be on hand to encourage you, and to put your personal experiences in context, so at the end of each week everyone can see how their efforts have contributed to our overall understanding of Marothodi.
For more confident participants with previous experience, or beginners who develop increasing levels of skill during their attendance, more responsibility may be allocated over particular areas of the site. While everyone is welcome to participate fully in the formal training programme, the more experienced may wish to select only particular aspects of the course that are new or interesting to them. All participants may choose whether or not they want their attendance to be formally assessed (unless assessment is required by your home institution).
For those who do wish to be assessed, the Field Supervisors, Project Officers and Assistant Director will observe your performance during a variety of exercises, and monitor your development on site as you grow in confidence and technical ability. In consultation with the Director (who will evaluate your excavation diary), a detailed report will be drawn up which outlines the different activities in which you gained experience, your levels of skill in each field, and your general attitude and approach to your work and your team members. (Some universities require their own assessment forms to be completed, in which case students should remember to bring these with them to South Africa.)