Archaeology News and Announcements

from Brown University's Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World

Tag: field school (Page 1 of 2)

Study Conservation And Restoration In Italy

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On January 16, 2026

In Fieldwork Opportunity

The San Gemini Preservation Studies is accepting applications for their 2026 Field School. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2026.

Now in its 27th year, the SGPS program is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage, offering students the unique opportunity to study and travel in Italy while gaining hands-on experience in restoration and conservation. It is designed for students in fields such as Conservation of Cultural Objects, Museum Studies, Architecture, Art History, History, Archaeology, and Anthropology.

Program offerings for Session One (June 1 – 26) are:

  • Building Restoration – “Touching the Stones”
  • Archaeological Ceramics
  • Book Bindings and Archival Conservation

Intersession Program (June 29 – July 8) is a 10 day preservation tour of Florence, Siena, and Rome.

Program offerings for Session Two (July 13 – August 7) are:

  • Paper Restoration
  • Traditional Painting Techniques
  • Preservation Theory and Practice in Italy

This year’s Field Projects are

  • Restoration of Porta Tuderte (13th-century city gate)
  • Analysis of medieval buildings in San Gemini as part of an urban study
  • Restoration of classical archaeological ceramics from the Parco del Colosseo in Rome
  • Conservation of historical archival materials from the Historic Archives of the City of San Gemini (dating from the 14th to the 19th century)

For more information, please visit https://www.sangeministudies.info/program-summary

Geoarchaeological Courses Offered by the Wiener Lab

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On November 1, 2024

In Fieldwork Opportunity

 

The Malcolm H. Wiener Laboratory for Archaeological Science at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens is offering two independent programs in training in geoarchaeology. Dr. Panagiotis (Takis) Karkanas, Director of the Wiener Laboratory, and Dr. Paul Goldberg, Senior Visiting Professor, Institut für Naturwissenschaftliche Archäologie (INA), University of Tübingen will lead both courses.

Archaeological Soil and Sediment Micromorphology Course (May 19 – 23)

The program will primarily focus on deciphering site formation processes and micro-stratigraphy. Students will receive instruction in optical mineralogy, description, and interpretation of micromorphological thin sections based on analysis of soil fabrics and sedimentary microstructures.

Training will include the study of: Soils and pedogenic processes; Natural processes in archaeological sites (e.g. water and debris flows, wind-blown sediment, standing water sediment); Biological sediments (e.g., dung, coprolites, guano); Anthropogenic processes (e.g., burning, stabling, living and constructed floors, dumping and filling, trampling, raking, building materials); Post-depositional alterations (e.g., chemical diagenesis, bioturbation).

A maximum of 9 students will be accepted for the course. Preference is given to advanced students with a background in geoarchaeology, and preferably some exposure to optical mineralogy as well. Training fee is 500 euros for the entire week. Accommodation is not provided, but we will offer recommendations and assistance to course participants in order to arrange accommodation themselves.

The course will take place from May 19-23, 2025. Applications should be submitted via the online application form.

International Field School on Site Formation, Stratigraphy, and Geoarchaeology in the Athenian Agora (May 31 – June 7)

Registered students will be involved in interdisciplinary field research in the Athenian Agora primarily focused on archaeological context, geoarchaeology, and material sciences. Through field observations, laboratory analysis, and lectures, students will receive instruction in the study and analysis of archaeological sediments and deposits, as well as gain experience in the recording of stratigraphy and the understanding of site formation processes.

A maximum of 12 students will be accepted for the course. Preference is given to advanced students and post-docs with a background in archaeology, and preferably some exposure to the natural sciences. Training fee is 450 euros for the entire week. Accommodation is not provided, but we will offer recommendations and assistance to course participants in order to arrange accommodation themselves. The course will take place from May 31 – June 7, 2025. Applications should be submitted via the online application form.

Application Information

Applicants will complete an online application for their desired course(s) by the deadline, January 15, 2025. Applications will include a brief cover letter outlining the candidate’s background and interest in participating in the course, a CV, and names and email addresses of two referees. Referees might be contacted for references after the application deadline, if necessary. Applications for the International Field School will also submit a list of grades (unofficial transcript) as part of the application. Applicants will be notified before the end of February.

Participants who successfully complete a course of instruction will receive a certificate detailing the content of the course.

For more information on the courses and how to apply, please visit the applications webpage or email at application@ascsa.org.

Field School Opportunity | Bondi Cave & Kakheti Field School

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On April 23, 2024

In Fieldwork Opportunity

The Past to Present Archaeology Group is hosting a summer field school at Bondi Cave in Georgia. Bondi Cave is a Palaeolithic cave located in the basin of the Rioni-Kvirila Rivers, in the Imereti region in north-western Georgia, and is one of few cave sites which documents the transition between the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic, cataloguing the demise of the Neanderthals and their replacement by Homo sapiens between 45 and 35 ka BP. To date, the cave has only received limited attention with the excavation of a single trench recording deposits back to the Later Middle Palaeolithic. The Caucasus possesses numerous examples of similiar sites that contain much older artefacts and deposits such as Tsona and Kudaro in Georgia, and Azykh in Azerbaijan. Therefore, it is hypothesised that Bondi Cave may date further back in time to the Lower Palaeolithic.

Situated 10km south west of Bondi Cave, lies an open plateau that following a programme of test-pitting in 2021 has produced numerous Lower and Middle Palaeolithic artefacts including Levallois cores, flakes, tools and handaxes. The area of recovery is quite extensive and possesses multiple outcrops of good quality volcanic raw materials. The site has the potential to be extremely rich, which will be extremely important for helping archaeologists understand how hominins exploited and occupied this fascinating landscape.

This summer, Past to Present Archaeology alongside Dr Niko Tushabramishvili and Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia, launch a new research initiative to undertake excavations at both Bondi Cave and Kakheti open site to expand on previous excavations, to explore and document Neanderthal evolutionary history, discover evidence for the Lower Palaeolithic and study extensive artefact bearing deposits in a beautiful open landscape. This is an exciting fieldschool opportunity to excavate rich Palaeolithic deposits and contribute to the understanding of human evolution in the Caucasus. Participants have a choice of site and even have an opportunity to receive expert archaeological training by industry professionals.

Students will learn:

  • Single-context excavation and recording
  • Maintaining accurate site records
  • Archaeological photography
  • Archaeological interpretation and sequencing
  • Drawing archaeological plans and sections to appropriate scales
  • Archaeological survey
  • Artefact retrieval and finds cataloguing
  • Lithic identification and typological analysis
  • Environmental sampling strategies
  • Site conduct and health and safety considerations

Students may choose to be a part of the the project for one to four weeks, allowing the field school to be financially flexible. For more information on how to join this field season, follow this link.

Field School | Methods and Practices of Archaeological Excavation

By

On April 11, 2024

In Fieldwork Opportunity

Are you interested in hands-on experience in archaeological research or Greek archaeology? This summer, the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) is hosting a 2024 Summer Field School course “Anthropology 215: Methods and Practices of Archaeological Excavation” in Thessaloniki, Greece/ It will offer a survey of methodological approaches to the investigation and interpretation of past societies with an emphasis on excavation practices.

In 5 weeks, students will earn 5 credits, while having the ability to immerse themselves in the inspiring city of Thessaloniki. The class breakdown will have a three-week in-class teaching component and then two weeks of outdoor excavation and laboratory practicum opportunities at the site of Toumba.

The application deadline for the Summer 2024 semester is Friday, May 17th. Students can submit their application/ learn about the process here. To apply, please see your home institution’s internal deadline and application process first.

If you have any additional questions about the program, reach out to Dr. Maria Kyriakidou, Chair of Humanities and Social Sciences (markyria@act.edu); if you have questions about the application process, reach out to the Associate Director of Enrollment for North America, Angel Elvin (elvin@act.com), or Keshon Kindred, the regional Admissions Counselor and Coordinator (keshon@act.edu)

To see a video testimonial on last year’s field season, follow this link!

Castle by a lake

Blackfriary Archaeology Field School

By

On February 1, 2024

In Fieldwork Opportunity

Blackfriary Field School logo

The Blackfriary Archaeology Field School is hosting a summer session partnered with the Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) in Trim, Ireland. They are offering two course in summer 2024 (BAFS Summer courses). They are:

  • A four-week course which combines an introductory course with a 2-week advanced course, running from May 7 – 31 and from June 4 – 28.
  • A five-week course, from July 2 to August 2, has a significant bioarchaeology component taught by Dr. Rachel Scott of DePaul University, Chicago.

Both courses give training in excavation and post-excavation methods. The four- and five-week courses are fully accredited through DkIT. Six semester credits (12.5 ECT credits) are offered for the four-week course and 7 -8 (15 ECTs credits) for the five-week course. The May option may be of interest to students whose courses are finished by late April/early May. There is also an unaccredited two-week course which runs throughout the summer.

For students with previous field and/or lab experience, the field school offers internships for a minimum of six weeks in the areas of excavation, post-excavation, and community outreach.

To learn more about the field school and how to apply, access this brochure.

Italy Conservation Summer Field School: San Gemini Preservation Studies

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On January 26, 2024

In Fieldwork Opportunity

The San Gemini Preservation Studies is accepting applications for their summer field school in historic conservation. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2024.

Now in its 25th year, with alumni from over 170 colleges and universities worldwide, SGPS is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage. They offer students the opportunity to study and travel in Italy where they acquire hands-on experience in restoration and conservation. The following sessions are available for this summer:

Session One (June 3 – 28)

  • Building Restoration – Touching the Stones Restoration of Traditional Masonry Buildings and Sketching and Analyzing Historic Buildings
    (Program includes lectures and restoration field projects*)
  • Archaeological Ceramics Restoration Analysis and Restoration of Archaeological Ceramics in Italy
    (Program includes lectures and restoration workshop*)
  • Book Bindings Restoration Introduction to the History and Craft of Bookbindings. Introduction to the Preservation and Preventive Conservation of Books
    (Program includes lectures and practical workshop*)

Session Two (July 15 – August 9)

*Field Projects:

  • Restoration of Porta Tuderte (also known as the San Giovanni City Gate) (13th century)
  • Analysis of medieval buildings in San Gemini as part of an urban study of the city
  • Restoration and conservation of artifacts from the Parco del Colosseo and Museo delle Storie di Bergamo
  • Restoration of the Historic Archives of the Commune di San Gemini
  • Archaeological research of the Roman Baths in the Ancient City of Carsulae

Short Intersession Program (June 30 – July 9) dates to be confirmed

  • Preservation Tour – Italy A ten-day trip visiting Siena, Florence and Rome,  places of cultural interest, with emphasis on the urban and historical development of each town, including specialized visits to places of interest to restorers.

SGPS is a program of the International Institute for Restoration and Preservation Studies, based in New York. An academic relationship has been established with West Virginia University that offers our students the opportunity to apply for and receive credits through the WVU Art History Department. They have established cooperation agreements with the Museo della Storie di Bergamo and the Parco del Colosseo to study and conserve artworks and archaeological objects held in their museums, as well as a collaboration with the Historic Archives of the Commune di San Gemini for SGPS participants to study and conserve archival documents.

Their courses are open to students from various disciplines, both undergraduate and graduate. All lessons are taught in English.

To learn more an apply, access the website here.

2024 Island Archaeology Field School

By

On December 8, 2023

In Fieldwork Opportunity

The 2024 JICAS Island Archaeology Field School in Jersey is run in partnership with Jersey Heritage, Societe Jersiaise and the University of Exeter’s International Summer School. This year’s Archaeological Map of Jersey Summer School will continue to focus on Approaches to Prehistoric Landscapes in Jersey, as well as a two-week excavation at the neolithic site La Hougue de Vinde. The field school will take place over three weeks, from July 1 – 20th, 2024.

Week one will cover mapping, recording and interpretation of the prehistoric record through geoarchaeological approaches. Outside of the classroom we will make use of Jersey diverse and dramatic landscape to explore different types of preservation context from Ice Age sediments of the foreshore to buried Neolithic landscapes.

Weeks two and three examine various field survey techniques, landscape archaeology and comparative island archaeology, as well as the known distribution of prehistoric sites from the Jersey Historic Environment Record and the new results of the recent LIDAR survey conducted on the island by Jersey Heritage. As part of the of ‘The Archaeological Map of Jersey’ project, weeks two and three will also continue the excavation work at La Hougue de Vinde as the basis of our planned field survey.

For more information on how to apply and the full schedule of the field school, click this link.

 

Italian Conservation Field School

By

On December 8, 2023

In Fieldwork Opportunity

San Gemini Conservation Studies is opening applications for their summer field school in conservation and historic preservation. Now in its 25th year, with alumni from over 170 colleges and universities worldwide, SGPS is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage. They offer students the opportunity to study and travel in Italy where they acquire hands-on experience in restoration and conservation.

Session One (June 3 – 28) 
Restoration of Traditional Masonry Buildings and Sketching and Analyzing Historic Buildings
(Program includes lectures and restoration field projects*)
Analysis and Restoration of Archaeological Ceramics in Italy
(Program includes lectures and restoration workshop*)
Introduction to the History and Craft of Bookbindings
Introduction to the Preservation and Preventive Conservation of Books
(Program includes lectures and practical workshop*)
Session Two (July 15 – August 9) 
Introduction to the Restoration and Conservation of Paper in Artwork and Archival Documents
(Program includes lectures and restoration workshop*)
Traditional Materials, Methods of Painting and Art Restoration Issues
(Program includes lectures and painting workshop)
Restoration Theory, Ethics and Issues
(Program includes lectures and discussion)
*Field Projects: 
  • Restoration of Porta Tuderte (also known as the San Giovanni City Gate) (13th century)
  • Analysis of medieval buildings in San Gemini as part of an urban study of the city
  • Restoration and conservation of artifacts from the Parco del Colosseo and Museo delle Storie di Bergamo
  • Restoration of the Historic Archives of the Commune di San Gemini
  • Archaeological research of the Roman Baths in the Ancient City of Carsulae
Short Intersession Program (June 30 – July 9) dates to be confirmed
A ten-day trip visiting Siena, Florence and Rome: places of cultural interest, with emphasis on the urban and historical development of each town, including specialized visits to places of interest to restorers.
To find out more and apply, click this link.

Field School: American Excavations Samothrace 2024 Information Session

By

On November 17, 2023

In Fieldwork Opportunity

The meteoric rise of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on the northern Aegean Island of Samothrace during the Hellenistic period generated some of the most architecturally adventurous ancient Greek buildings and dedications, including the famed Winged Victory now in the Louvre. The American Excavations Samothrace’s international team brings together experts and students to investigate how and why this Sanctuary rose to prominence, how the natural and built environments conditioned religious experience, and how the island was transformed by the demands of hosting an increasingly famous panhellenic cult. In answering these questions, advanced undergraduate and graduate participants gain valuable experience in archaeological techniques, architectural study, geospatial and geomorphological survey, object analysis, and conservation.

A lunchtime information session for those interested in applying to participate in the Summer 2024 field season will be held on Monday, November 27th, from 12:00-1:00 pm EDT, via Zoom: https://emory.zoom.us/j/95687459956.

If you are interested in participating but cannot attend, or would like further information, please contact a member of the American Excavations Samothrace team, including: Bonna Wescoat (bwescoa@emory.edu); Michael Page (michael.page@emory.edu); Samuel Holzman (sholzman@princeton.edu); Maggie Popkin (maggie.popkin@case.edu); Jessica Paga (jpaga@wm.edu); Alessandro Pierattini (Alessandro.Pierattini.1@nd.edu); Andrew Ward (alward5@emory.edu).

Gabii Project 2024 Archaeological Field School

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On November 3, 2023

In Fieldwork Opportunity

The Gabii Project is an international archaeological initiative promoted by the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology at the University of Michigan. They have been excavating the Latin city of Gabii since 2007 in order to study the formation and growth of a city-state that was, as neighbor and rival to Rome in the first millennium BCE, an important player in early Roman history. Their research tackles big questions about the emergence and evolution of urbanism in ancient Italy: from city planning to social stratification and the definition of elite and non-elite spaces and activities; from the development of monumental civic architecture to the abandonment and repurposing of the cityscape; and much else, through the integration of spatial data, architecture and stratigraphy, and a wide variety of finds spanning from the Early Iron Age to Late Antiquity.

You will learn: The archaeology of Rome and Latium, including guided trips to select sites and museums and off site lectures; excavation and interpretation of ancient Gabii; digital, cutting-edge recording techniques; and scientific processes, including environmental and biological analysis.

What is provided: accommodations in downtown Rome; Insurance, equipment, local transportation, weekday lunches, and select museum fees; 24/7 logistical support; apartments include kitchen facilities, washing machines and wireless internet; and they are willing to facilitate arrangements to help students get credit from their home institutions.

Total cost: $5,990 USD (or $5,600 for returners). International flight not included

Click this link to apply.

Applications due December 1, 2023. 

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