First Commercial Job

[Land-Escapist]

Hi folks

I have been lucky enough to land my first commercial job and I know there are differences between research digging and commercial. Im not expecting plain sailing and Im expecting to work bloody hard! but Im just looking for hints, tips, wise words of wisdom you wish to pass on to me.

Thanks

[BAJR]

Good post... so good I am moving it to the Site hut.

I would of course point you to this fab guide 101 tips

http://www.scribd.com/doc/400953/101-Tip...rchaeology

[scribd]400953&access_key=jtj5wp10kuhgy&page=1[/scribd]


But my one tip is to learn from lags... and remember... time = money = happiness. Get it in section!

[Stuart Rathbone]

In the UK? If that's the case....

Good water proofs are worth far more than their weight in gold. Get them if possible from a health and safety or farmers store. These are far more hard wearing than the ones you get from Hikers/out door activity places.

Learn to trowel with both arms as quickly as possible, and don't worry about claw finger... it will pass! Practice throwing your trowel at the floor so it sticks in the ground blade first - for some reason this is a vital skill to learn but don't let anyone see you practising!

See those blokes in the corner? The weather beaten, moody cynical ones who have been digging since sometime in the late 3rd century AD? Get them to show you what you should be doing. Bribe them with pints of cider if you have to! But don't believe everything they tell you, bound to be a few wind ups in there somewhere!

Be really really careful if they are using wooden walking boards in wet muddy conditions. Those things are a death trap!

Pay attention to instructions and check before hand that you have understood them properly. Far too easy for you to make a mistake because people assume you may know how to do something when you aren't actually sure how.

Watch out for the drinking. Depends where you are and who you are with, but it can be....a bit ridiculous. xx(

And enjoy yourself. Remember it may be a job now, but you aren't in it for the money... seriously, you aren't in it for the money lol!

[illumina3]

Get your tool kit sorted - borrowing stuff is OK at first but quickly gets old. Plenty of 6-inch nails and string, a few 6H pencils and an eraser, a line-level and a couple of 5m hand tapes are your mainstays, other things are useful but not always essential (although Sharpies are always going missing!). A knife is a handy thing to have around though.

I second 'watch out for the drinking', especially if you're on an away dig.

[Wax]

Start saving those hard earned wages, think about what you are spending on the drinking ( save save save) even on minimal wages you can still put a bit to one side. Listen to the advice of the old lags, do not get macho about shifting tons of dirt, your back and knees are going to have to last you a life time. Do those little tasks that are so helpful without having to be asked ( cleaning up around the site hut). Invest in Norwegian formula hand cream. Above all have fun this will be one of the best times of your life.

Well done

[vulpes]

Don't be a hero, remember you're in it for the long haul now. So don't fill that barrow up beyond the brim! and respect your knees and back you'll need them in later life Also make sure you get a look at the Written Scheme of Investigation / Project Design etc for the site from the Project Officer/Supervisor, it never hurts to know why you're there. edit: sorry to repeat you Wax, but that one bears repeating!

[BAJR]

Very good points Wax and Vulpes. Know why you are there and discuss it... it keeps you interested.

Great points Stuart... bloody wet planks! spend time making them safe, will save time and you! and as to barrows... fill to the front. The barrow will lead you rather than you having to push.

If you need great tools by the way http://www.pasthorizons.com/shop (pluggity plug!) check your PM here - I have sent you a code for a discount.

[kevin wooldridge]

As one of those grisled lags in the corner sucking the beer dregs spilt down the front of his shirt the night before, or was it the week before or even the year before.....NEVER EVER EVER walk into a site hut where I might be sitting and start to witter on about any of the following 1) DR 'BLOODY' WHO (it's kiddy TV - grow-up!!) 2) LORD OF THE BLOODY RINGS or HARRY BLEEDING POTTER (they are childrens books - grow-up!!) 3) HOW YOU GOT THROUGH UNIVERSITY BY INVESTING YOUR STUDENT LOAN IN BARCLAY'S BANK SHARES 4) TOP effing GEAR......but that apart welcome to the job. Have fun and buy me a drink sometime.....}

[vulpes]

Is that all you've got to add Kevin? Really, as I was typing my meagre contribution I was thinking of you and how your years of wisdom garnered in the field would bear some sharing but no, all you can come up with is a list of taboo subjects! You grumpy old man, tsk! }

[vulpes]

Join the Diggers Forum and don't be site hut bore! Do something about it http://www.archaeologists.net/groups/diggers