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Digging up the past in Spain

Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 30, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknife resident Morgan Moffitt will be participating in an archeological dig this June in Valladolid, Spain.

NNSL Photo/Graphic

Morgan Moffitt will spend the month of June in Spain at an archeological dig site to uncover graves dating back to a settlement from fifth century BC. - Christine Grimard/NNSL photo

Having just finished her second year majoring in anthropology at St. Francis Xavier University, Moffitt will form part of a team of international students who will excavate the site, searching for artifacts from the Iron Age necropolis and Roman settlement of Pintia.

Inspired by adventures of Indiana Jones, Moffitt said she's looking forward to what adventures lay ahead of her at the site.

"Although I know I won't be carrying around a whip," said Moffitt. "I want to learn about their culture, plus I like playing around in the mud."

The project is run through ArcheoSpain, a non-profit group based in Connecticut that organizes student groups to participate in archeological digs.

Mike Elkin, a co-ordinator with ArcheoSpain, said that not only will Moffitt gain experience in archeology, but she'll also benefit from the experience of living in another country.

"Living in Spain for a month, she'll pick up the language and culture as she'll be living and working with Spaniards the whole time," said Elkin.

ArcheoSpain teams have assisted in major discoveries at various sites in Spain.

At Clunia, teams discovered the remains of a 9,000 seat Roman theatre and a mansion in the former Roman city.

Although Morgan is interested primarily in anthropology, she said this dig will test her interest in archeology.

"Maybe if I really like it, I could take the plunge," said Moffitt.

Moffitt said the difference between the two fields is archeology studies ancient cultures by piecing together artifacts while anthropologyis the study of people both modern and ancient.

Morgan will be in Spain from June 1 to 30.