And so it begins!
First, a big heartfelt "thank you!!!" to all the supporters who pledged contributions to the Center of Archaeology (based at Columbia)!  If you would still like to pledge a contribution - it is not too late!  Just send me an email to my hotmail account at suzi.wilson@hotmail.com.

Meanwhile . . . in less than 24 hours, I'll be on the plane to Rome.  I'll arrive Friday morning and stay in Rome through Sunday morning when I'll catch the train to Piombino.  The professors from Florence University will provide transport from the train station in Piombino to our lodging in Populonia.  Last year, we worked at the old Roman villa of Poggio del Molino but this year, we are moving closer to the coast to excavate the Necropolis of San Cerbone.  More on that in future postings.

Part of the required gear for the dig site includes steel-toed boots, which are neither fashionable nor comfortable (although I *was* able to find a pair in New York black!)  Last year, I was complaining about having to wear these heavy boots to my friend Julie who immediately shared a story about chopping wood at her brother's house.   Apparently, Julie had chopped through a piece of wood and the momentum of her swing continued to bring the ax down on her foot.  Had she not been wearing the steel-toed boots, she would have chopped off her toe.

While I'm in Rome, I'm going to see a friend (Giulia Peresso) with whom I worked at the Poggio del Molino site last year.  She won't be joining us in San Cerbone, but she is currently working at the Trajan's Market ruins in Rome so I'm hoping to get a tour of the ruins while I'm there.

OK, I am off to pack!  The next post should be from Rome . . . .