Archaeology, Theory, and my lovely dissertation

I have an awful headache. I just concluded the optional theory and archaeology seminar, which Denver thought I would be interested in. This one in particular was on the problem with Aegean Bronze Age redistribution political economy system. So, you can understand the headache. It has some people from ARCS but also guys from the University of Sofia and Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, all phd students or professors.

First, I’m the only girl in this ridiculous archaeology think-tank (What… archaeology think-tank, isn’t that an oxymoron, or just moronic?). And nerd-men never laugh out loud. They make some inane sort of self-referential word joke and then sniffle and move their shoulders up and down. They stifle their happiness. Laugh out loud! Live out loud! Basically I wish all men would just become gay while in any seminar room with me in attendance. I love to laugh. And when something’s funny, I’m laughing.

Second, Emil, who I think is co-director of ARCS with Denver, said something wonderful and I wanted to then call this seminar and all future seminars to an end but it went on for another hour and a half.  “Texts tell us what happened and then historians and philologists deal with fact. Archaeologists create theory in order to offer different alternatives to those facts.” He thought that this was the circulating meta-question and the proverbial elephant in the room because Denver, Juli, and I were constantly referring to the Linear B tablets. Don’t tell me I should look into 11^th century Chinese economy to understand what was going on in 5^th century Black Sea emporia. Don’t suggest yet another culture and language for me to tackle because you found a pot that doesn’t quite fit in with the Vetren Inscription from Pistiros just because you want to be in on the conversation. Sit down, be part of the conversation but when I ask "what?" don't answer "how?" because you have no real answers. I'm sorry, that seems a little bitchy but my recent history with archaeologists this past year gives me license. Ugh! 

I picture half naked barbarians with electrum and gold mixing it up with Greeks, who are so happy to be away from their constricting metropolis. They are all swapping wool and honey and slaves. Ok, my ideas are naïve and broad but I can’t imagine them becoming clearer with some theory applied to the studies. I’m looking at the inscriptions and Demosthenes and Herodotus. And bully for me.  I just wanted to see another girl and hear someone laugh. It was a long day.

This morning Anton took me to the University of Sophia, where I will have my Russian lessons starting Monday. I’m excited. The neighborhood around the University is great. It is everything that makes college towns great: eclecticism, vibrancy, nice looking apartments. In Hagi Dimitar the garbage man rides a horse drawn buggy. Quaint gets old real quick. No one wants to live at a New England Bed and Breakfast forever. 3hrs a day, 3 days a week of lessons and in that great neighborhood: I am really happy. Tomorrow, I will spend the whole day at Jam On It, so I hope to have lots of pictures and lots to write. I was hoping to go tonight but that seminar really wiped me out. I was back at a long table, taking notes and listening to people be clever. I have had my full of such things. So, I have Jam On It to report on, plus my love of Azis, Ustata and all things Chalga (look it up if you can’t wait).  Oh and Mariana is SERBIAN- Thanks Kathleen. And also thank you so much for the Bulgarian Hip Hop USB. I’m super excited!       

The front of ARCS

The street where ARCS is. Cars park on sidewalk.

I had lunch with Kathleen and this cat ate everything.

This is Anton: The Greatest and Kindest person at ARCS.

His favorite phrase is "You're Welcome"