Post-Degree Summer

I may have finished my degree, but archaeology has still been a central part of my summer so far. 

Along with several friends, I attended a brilliant workshop on 'flint' knapping (we used glass) delivered by one of my teachers from Manchester. This was part of the Chorlton Arts Festival and was in the beautiful location of a plant nursery. I definitely still have a way to go with my knapping skills, but I ended the workshop with a lovely glass arrowhead that now sits pride of place on my bookcase. I also stumbled across an amazing food market and had quite possibly the best arancini I've ever had (it was filled with pesto and delicious). 

At the beginning of June, I went down to Cambridge to attend the Prehistoric Society's Europa conference in honour of this year's Europa prize winner Professor Marie Louise Stig-Sorrensen. In recognition of her work, this conference focused on 'Peopling the Past', with papers ranging from pioneering genetics studies to explorations of different conceptualisations and displays of gender identity in the European Bronze Age. Following this fascinating weekend, I travelled back up to Manchester to attend a series of workshops and seminars put on by my dissertation supervisor Professor Melanie Giles looking at bog bodies (which included findings from my dissertation!), wetland ecology, and ancient musical instruments. 

As the summer evening grew longer and the end of the academic year crept closer, I was still involved in a number of CAHAE society activities. This included a fundraising cameras sale and delivering the final workshop in my 'Artaeology' series. And of course the CAHAE Summer Ball (which admittedly I had little actual involvement in the organisation of). This and a committee dinner were both lovely ways to celebrate the year with fellow students, say goodbye to friends, and welcome in next year's committee. Who doesn't love an excuse to put on something fancy and dance with friends?

I also had a wonderful time meeting up with friends in Manchester and visiting all the places I had been meaning to see before leaving. I have made some of my best friends at university and have fallen in love with Manchester. Moving back home for the summer has also been lovely. My parents live in quite a rural location and are also keen gardeners, which means I am surrounded by greenery back home (something I always miss whilst in the city). I have also, of course, visited my local bookstore, and watched up with friends from home. Writing is another of my hobbies, and with more free time I have finally finished the first draft of my current book!

       

Beyond all of this, I have also received my final degree grade; I am currently attending a course on identifying textile structures, graduating from Manchester, writing up part of a conference paper, preparing for my MA and getting ready for a university excavation. The rest of summer promises to be just as much of an archaeological adventure as the start!