Summer Archaeology Book Club 2020: The Dig Pairings

When we started the Summer Archaeology Book Club way back in 2014, little did I realize it would become one of my favorite programs every year. This year, has been a little different for public archaeology in general for a few obvious reasons, but I'm glad we're still able to hold book club. And while we won't get to sit around a table all together to discuss the 2020 selections, in some ways, it's bigger and better this year! Emma, with our East Central office, has helped with hosting duties (I'll just give her all the credit for the lovely food and beverage pairings for the first book right up now!), and the virtual format allows us to expand the program to folks across Florida and beyond.

The first book selection, The Dig by John Preston, is a historical novel based on the archaeological discovery of Sutton Hoo in England in 1939. 

                                                

We choose the book because it's a tale of archaeological investigation, providing a window into the ways of digging in the past. The following review also helped us see it as a great choice:

"I found this to be a very disappointing fictional treatment of an exciting archaeological event -- the discovery of the Anglo-Saxon ship burial at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, UK in 1939. The book has received good reviews on both sides of the Atlantic, and I want to emphasize that my rating is based solely on my personal reaction to this book.

The story seems to focus on the drudgery of the actual physical labour and the annoying bickering among the various archaeologists and museum officials. The atmosphere (with the exception of a few brilliant descriptions of natural surroundings) is glum. The characters are preoccupied with the various challenges of their personal lives rather than awestruck over the wonder hidden in the dirt. The artefacts are described perfunctorily and then whisked away to a secure location in London. The likelihood of the outbreak of war hangs like a shroud over the entire dig site.

Where is the excitement that ought to surround such a discovery? Is this the reality of the nitty-gritty work of archaeology? Was this really the way it unfolded? Maybe so. Perhaps I missed the author's point."- Sandy, Good Reads

Oh, Sandy. You know not what you have described. As archaeologists, this got us excited. It might be a book about REAL archaeology. No one is going to be murdered, there is no cursed treasure, and maybe, just maybe, there are some proper excavation methods employed. 

As those of you who have participated in Book Club in years past, you know food and drink is my (Emily Jane typing here) favorite part. I spend more time than I'd like to admit finding the perfect beverage and the best thematic snacks, and then cooking and prepping those tasty treats. Even though we've gone virtual, there's no reason to skip out on this crucial element! So we've rounded up some recipes for you to try at home and offer a few comments on each.


Extra Special Bitter (ESB)
Perfect for a budding archaeologist, Peggy Piggott! ESBs are getting their day in the craft beer scene, with many breweries creating these beers with perfectly balanced hop and malt flavors on a rotating schedule. Check your local breweries or bottle shops to find a good ESB!



Red Lion 
The Red Lion was created by Arthur Albert Tarling and won the 1933 London Cocktail Competition. The cocktail was then printed in the 1937 Cafe Royal Cocktail Book and has survived to this day. This cocktail would have been available to Mrs. Pretty and everyone else who wanted something other than a beer at the pub.



Iced London Fog
Don't want alcohol? That works too! What is more English than a good cuppa? Well, in the Florida heat I can understand why you don't want a hot cup of tea. Instead try a London Fog, featuring iced earl gray tea, simple syrup, milk, with a lavender garnish. It is perfect for a hot day where you wish you were roaming the English countryside.


Watercress & Egg Salad Tea Sandwich
If we are having a book club, it makes sense we have finger sandwiches. Watercress during the 1930s was promoted by the Ministry of Health in promoting children's growth. You know Robbie was eating a lot of Watercress and what a better way to hide it than in an egg salad sandwich? And if you can't find watercress, arugula is a good replacement. 


Cucumber Tea Sandwich
Emily Jane may hate me (I loathe cucumbers! -EJ), but we needed to add cucumber sandwiches. The easiest recipe is this: dense yet light white bread, butter (the good kind), cucumbers, and cracked salt and pepper. Or so says Mother.


Traditional English Tea Cakes
Now this one is a given. If we have cucumber sandwiches, we need tea cakes. Honestly, theses can be customized however you are feeling. Below is the basic tea cake recipe, spice it up and show it off on our meeting on June 23th!


Words and images by Emma Dietrich and Emily Jane Murray, FPAN staff.