Suyang Liu
Water is one of the most essential resources for any human settlement, past or present. Access to clean, reliable water was a major factor in where people chose to build their homes, farms, and even entire communities. Wells provided a steady source of water for drinking, cooking, washing, and agriculture, making them super important for daily life and survival.
At our site, the well is located about 50 meters from the main excavation area. On April 30th, Lorna, Hailey, Zenya, and I started our first day of well excavation. Clearing the site was no small task, the ground was covered in dense grass, tangled branches, and stubborn tree roots. Many of the roots were large and deeply embedded, making them especially tough to remove. We also had to shift several large rocks to fully expose the well’s stone lining. It was a challenging but rewarding start to what promises to be an exciting excavation.
After a full day of digging, we finally reached the water level in the well. It’s always a rewarding moment to see the first signs of water, a reminder of the well’s original purpose. Interestingly, the water level seems much lower compared to 2023’s excavation records. This could be due to a particularly dry season or changes in the surrounding water table. Either way, it’s a great milestone in our excavation!
When we returned to the site on May 2nd, we found that the heavy rain from the previous day had knocked over our canopies and turned the ground into a muddy mess. The wind was still howling, making it a challenge to set everything back up.
But there was some good news: the well’s water level had risen slightly, making it look a bit more like an actual well and less like a dry pit. A small victory, but we’ll take it!
While clearing the well after the rain, I spotted this tiny, pinkish ladybug clinging to a damp stone. It’s amazing how these little beetles can show up at our muddy excavation. A small but welcome guest of nature!
Once we finally reached the water level, it was time to clean out the remaining mud and debris from the well. Under the guidance of Lorna and Hailey, we started illustrating the well in plan view, carefully mapping out each stone and feature.
At the end of the day, Kate reminded us to secure the well opening to prevent any accidental falls, a practical but slightly funny reminder that safety comes first! Zenya even moved the nearby road sign behind the well to the well’s edge, making the whole setup look impressively professional. We’re definitely starting to look like a real excavation crew!
After days of digging, clearing, sketching, sweating and getting muddy, the well finally stands uncovered, it is a silent witness to the lives that once drew water from its depths, now connected with the sounds of our modern trowels and brushes.
The archaeological field excavation is exhausting, but seeing the well slowly come back to life has been incredibly satisfying. Every rock moved and every layer cleared brings a small but meaningful piece of history back into our sight, and that makes all the effort worth it.
