By Verónica Vargas / Contributor from the National Institute of Anthropology and History

I had previously participated in projects in the San Quintín volcanic field, in La Chorera area, although on that occasion excavations were carried out in open-air archeological sites. This time I visited the Punta Mazo Nature Reserve, I had heard a lot about it, but I hadn’t had the opportunity to visit and much less to participate in any project.

It’s always exciting when a field season starts because there are new experiences, new people, and new discoveries. On this new adventure I was accompanied by Biology students from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and from the University of the Americas Puebla (UDLAP). Together with the archaeologist Enah Fonseca, we formed the 2018 season work team for the project “Camp studies on the coast line and intermountain valleys of Baja California.”

The colleagues who joined the Archaeology team did not know the procedures that were usually done in excavations, but they showed great enthusiasm and disposition to learn. This time we excavated two rocky shelters, since I had never participated in a project of this type this was also a different experience for me.

As I already mentioned, I had already participated in the field season, but this was the first time I shared a house with 10 people 24/7. Since I was not used to it, at first it was strange. Besides that we all have different habits and needs, so as expected there were moments of total tension, but there were also moments filled with fun and laughter, as well as of new knowledge. I think that in the end beautiful bonds and good friendships were formed, just like the reinforcement of the importance of teamwork and knowledge.