Fiji's Ancient Seafarers Dr. Patrick D. Nunn - Earthwatch Institute

DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD
4. VOLUNTEER TRAINING AND ASSIGNMENTS
On Day 1, the Principal Investigator or one of the Field Team Leaders will meet volunteers and introduce them to
the key aspects of the fieldwork. This will enable team members to get to know one another and there will be
ample opportunity to ask questions at this time. The introduction to the rest of the team and to the people of
Vusama Village will be in a relaxed setting and will be accompanied by a welcome ceremony from the
community.
Each evening the team will meet after dinner in the Vusama Community Hall to review the day’s activities, set
the next day’s tasks, and discuss the project’s progress. This will be a good opportunity to ask questions and
discuss what is happening. Visiting scientists will also be invited to address the group at the evening meetings in
Vusama. These evenings will provide a chance for volunteers to be with the rest of the team while learning more
about the cultural environment and the goals of the project.
Assignments
Volunteer assignments will vary daily depending on the needs of the project, though excavation and
reconnaissance will be the principal tasks throughout the 2009 research season. Volunteers will initially be paired
with a Pacific Island team member who will stay close by for the first day or two in Vusama. In-field analysis will
be conducted throughout the season, though Team I will participate less in this particular task as there will not
yet be much to analyze.
Excavation
A team of 3-5 people will excavate a pit in one of the targeted areas. Team members will take turns digging,
sieving and packaging sampled materials. Training will be provided for laying out and maintaining a squareshaped
pit, sampling by 10-centimeter spit, excavating any large objects of interest that may be encountered,
sieving and recognizing items of interest, and systematically packing found materials. Most volunteers should
expect to spend at least 60% of the time in the field working as part of an excavation team. No previous
experience is required.
Reconnaissance
A team of 3-5 people will collect samples from the ground surface in unexplored areas. Volunteers will initially be
paired with an experienced team member. In-field training will be provided in recognizing pottery shards and
perhaps stone tools and other artifacts on the ground, and also in recognizing particular types of decoration on
pottery shards. You will likely spend at least 10% of your time in the field undertaking this type of
reconnaissance. No previous experience is required.
Preliminary In-Field Analysis in Vusama Village
In-field training will be provided on how to wash and dry samples, distinguish different types of decorated
pottery and pot rims, and recognize and measure particular shell pieces and stone tools. Selected volunteers from
Team I can expect to spend no more than 10% of their time on this task (there will not be enough material to work
with at this early stage). Most volunteers on Teams II and III can expect to spend at least 15-25% of their time on
this task. Previous experience is not essential, although volunteers with artistic skills would be able to sketch
artifacts and decorated potsherds.
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