Archaeological Digs

2011-12-08T08:12:00.000-08:00

Update:

Popular Archaeology, a new online magazine and companion website to Archaeological Digs, offers much more to readers than simply the latest dig information. Visit the site at http://popular-archaeology.com and see for yourself.

Students of archaeology and related subjects may now publish their best papers online for a global readership. See the Student Scholar Program for details.

See the latest dig postings, including archaeology field schools and job opportunities, by scrolling down below. New dig opportunities for 2012 will be posted. See below and stay connected!

Are you a professional archaeologist, student, volunteer, or avocational archaeologist? Build a network of personally and professionally enhancing relationships by joining ArchaeologyNet, a business-oriented social network for archaeology.

There are archaeology field schools and research activities being conducted all over the world. Many archaeology excavations are conducted during the summer months; however, some are ongoing throughout the year, and some are being conducted even during the winter months in parts of the world where the climate is favorable. This weblog serves as a gateway to up-to-date information about current archaeological digs and archaeological job opportunities throughout the world. It also features special postings highlighting specific archaeological digs, and other links related to archaeology and archaeological digs.

See the new introductory website about archaeology for young people and educators: Archaeology Adventures

Archaeological Digs: The Best Sources

2011-12-08T08:05:00.001-08:00

Here are the best listings online with links to detailed information about archaeological digs and field school opportunities for 2012, and see the specially featured digs by scrolling below. Return regularly, as the lists continue to expand with new opportunities:

1. AIA Fieldwork Opportunities Online
2. Archaeology Digs at About.com
3. Past Horizons
4. Archaeological Digs with Earthwatch
5. Biblical Archaeology Society
6. Archaeologyfieldwork.com
7. Passport in Time
8. ShovelBums

Specially Featured Digs

2011-12-08T07:42:00.000-08:00

Below are links to our specially featured digs.

Maya Research Program's 2012 Season at Blue Creek, Belize

The Penn State Fort Shirley Excavation

The Excavations at Bethsaida

Field School in Paleoanthropology and Paleolithic Archaeology

Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Excavations

Archaeological Field School Opportunities in Egypt (2)

The Balkan Heritage Field Schools: Season 2012

2011-11-17T05:50:00.000-08:00

"FRESCO-HUNTING" PHOTO EXPEDITION TO MEDIEVAL BALKAN CHURCHES (Western Bulgaria)

An expedition for documentation of medieval frescoes preserved in abandoned churches and chapels in remote areas of Western Bulgaria.The task of the expedition envisioned for 2012 is to enhance the database created during the previous seasons by documenting frescoes and their condition as well as collecting new data on history, architecture, artefacts and environment of the ecclesiastical buildings they belong to.

Standard Field School Session: 12 – 26 May 2012

Extended Field School Session: 12 May - 2 June, 2012

Academic credits available for students: up to 9

BIRTH OF EUROPE - EXCAVATION OF THE EARLY NEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT ILINDENTSI

Excavations of one of the very first Neolithic settlements in Europe (6200-5500 BC), near Ilindentsi, Southwestern Bulgaria. Two field school sessions are available:

Session 1: 17 June - 1 July, 2012

Session 2: 2 - 16 July, 2012

Academic credits available for students: up to 9

new project WORKSHOP FOR CONSERVATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ROMAN MOSAICS

The workshop will guide the participants through the history, techniques and consequent stages of archaeological study, conservation and documentation of Roman and Late Roman (first - sixth century AD) mosaics. Both the theoretical and practical courses will be based on authentic Roman mosaics / mosaic fragments found in the ancient city of Stobi – the capital of Macedonia Secunda.

Dates: 16 - 29 June, 2012

Academic credits available for students: 6

WORKSHOP FOR CONSERVATION, RESTORATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ROMAN POTTERY

The workshop will guide the participants through the history and technology of Roman and Late Roman pottery and consequent stages of archaeological conservation, restoration, documentation and study. Both the theoretical and practical courses will be based on Roman pottery found in the ancient city of Stobi. During the workshop participants will work with authentic Roman shards.

Dates: 16 - 29 June, 2012

Academic credits available for students: 6

HERACLEA LYNCESTIS EXCAVATIONS

Excavations of the ancient (Hellenistic, Roman, Late Roman) town of Heraclea Lyncestis in Bitola, Macedonia. Two field school sessions are available:

Session 1: 30 June - 14 July, 2012 Session 2: 15 - 29 July, 2012

Academic credits available for students: up to 9

APOLLONIA PONTICA EXCAVATIONS

Excavations at the sacred precinct (temenos) of the Ancient Greek city of Apollonia Pontica on St. Kirik Island, Sozopol, Bulgaria. Periods of occupation: Archaic and Classical Greek and Early Byzantine (seventh - fifth century BC and fifth - seventh century AD). Two field school sessions are available:

Session 1: 1 - 15 August 2012 Session 2: 16 - 30 August 2012

Academic credits available for students: up to 9

STOBI (THE CAPITAL CITY OF MACEDONIA SECUNDA) EXCAVATIONS

Excavations of the impressive ancient (Late Hellenistic, Roman, Early Byzantine) city of Stobi, Macedonia. Two field school sessions are available:

Session 1: 29 July - 12 August 2012 Session 2: 13 - 27 August 2012

Academic credits available for students: up to 9

WORKSHOP FOR RESTORATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ANCIENT GREEK POTTERY

The workshop will guide the participants through the history of ancient Greek pottery, its production and consequent stages of archaeological conservation, documentation, study, and restoration. It will take place consequently in Emona and Sozopol (ancient Apollonia Pontica) on the Black sea coast, Bulgaria. Both the theoretical and practical courses will be based on Ancient Greek pottery found in Sozopol. During the workshop participants will work with authentic Ancient Greek shards.

Dates: 3 - 16 September, 2012

Academic credits available for students: 6

For more information, go to http://bhfieldschool.org/bh2007.html

Archaeological Field School Opportunities in Egypt

2011-11-10T06:35:00.000-08:00

For the past 36 years from 1975 to the present, The Akhenaten Temple Project, a program initially created to study and reconstruct on paper the dismantled sun-temples of the heretic Pharaoh Akhenaten (14^th Century B.C.), has undertaken archaeological work at four major sites in Egypt: At East Karnak (Luxor), our excavations have uncovered the largest temple of this king; across the river in the Theban necropolis, we initiated a tomb survey of burials and sepulchres including that of Akhenaten's butler Parennefer; at Tel el-Rub’a in the eastern Nile delta, we commenced excavation of the ancient city of Mendes; and in the Sinai, a New Kingdom fortress today known as Tel Kedwa.

The archaeological field work of the A.T.P. has made significant contributions to our knowledge of all the major time periods of Ancient Egypt, and opened untold opportunities for student participation and training. From 1998, directors, Prof. Donald Redford and Dr. Susan Redford, have combined the work of the project with a field school run under the sponsorship of Penn State Education Abroad, which has been highly successful in training undergraduates, not only in history, but also in the mechanics of archaeological field methodology, epigraphy, recording of reliefs and artifacts, human osteology, paleobotany and conservation. Since field operations always involve native Egyptian labor, the student moves within the local native community and is obliged to learn a little Arabic. It is a marvelous opportunity for the undergraduate to come into close contact with another important world culture and the Islamic way of life.

Penn State’s Summer Abroad field school offers students six credits in the area of archaeology, ancient Mediterranean studies and international cultures toward their degrees. Those who are interested in taking part in this exciting research and gaining a memorable cultural experience may find more detailed information and submit an application on-line at www.outreach.psu.edu/summerabroad/study-egypt for the up-coming 2012 expeditions. The application deadline is December 20, 2011.

This narrative was written by Professor Donald Redford and Dr. Susan Redford.

Photo courtesy Susan Redford and the Theban Tomb Survey

The Maya Research Program at Blue Creek

2011-08-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

When we think of the ancient Maya civilization, the monumental centers of Tikal, Palenque, Chichen Itza, and Copan usually come to mind. These, however, are only a few of the countless ancient sites, many of which, though known to exist, still lie unexcavated and unexplored. Still others are yet undiscovered, and their number is still a mystery. The jungle shrouds their secrets. The archaeologists who uncover and investigate these sites have many years of work ahead them before a complete picture of the Maya civilization, and how it mysteriously and suddenly declined, emerges.

Blue Creek

A comparatively small site in northwestern Belize promises to add an important chapter to the story. It will help answer questions about how a medium-sized community of approximately 20,000 people managed to support an unusually wealthy class of residents and a large public precinct surrounded by numerous, well-defined residential structures and agricultural components. Known as Blue Creek, scientists at this site have uncovered a large number of exotic goods, unusual for a community of this size. It is thought that its strategic location, in combination with the techniques the ancient inhabitants employed in agricultural production, defined the foundation for its wealth.

The Project

Dr. Thomas Guderjan of the Maya Research Program (MRP) is leading a team of archaeologists and other professional staff to find answers to the questions surrounding the site. In 2012, the team will be returning to continue excavations.They are calling for students and volunteers to join them for their 2012 season, which begins May 28 and runs through July 29.

The Field School

Participants will receive training in field and laboratory techniques as well as receive a "crash course" on the Maya and archaeological methodology The Field School is certified by the Register of Professional Archaeologists (see participant guide at http://www.mayaresearchprogram.org/web-content/helpdig_form.html). Accommodation is at the Blue Creek research station, which has 35 small residential cabanas, a 1500 square foot laboratory building, a main building with a dining hall, and men's and women's restrooms and showers. All meals, equipment and supplies are provided. There will be four two-week sessions. Participants are welcome to join any or all of them.

For the student or enthusiast of Maya archaeology, the Blue Creek experience represents one of the best field school opportunities available for this region of the world. It is open to all, regardless of experience. Academic credit and scholarships are available.

The 2012 Field Season Dates are:

Session 1: Monday May 28 - Sunday June 10;
Session 2: Monday June 11 - Sunday June 24 ;
Session 3: Monday July 2 - Sunday July 15;
Session 4: Monday July 16 - Sunday July 29

For additional information please contact the Maya Research Program:

www.mayaresearchprogram.org
1910 East Southeast Loop 323 #296
Tyler, Texas 75701
817-831-9011
mrpinquiries@gmail.com

Specially Featured Digs

2011-04-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

1.Exploring Etruscans and Romans in Italy with Etruria Nova

2.The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Programs
3.Excavating Tel Kabri: The Aegean Connection

4.Excavating Slave Life at Montpelier

5.Blue Creek: Excavating an Upscale Community

6.Archaeological Field Services

7.Excavating a Colonial Era Fort

8.Unearthing Ancient Tiberias
9.Excavating History at Bamburgh
10.Uncovering the Mysteries of Khirbet Qeiyafa
11.Digging Ancient Rome: The Ostia Antica Marina Field School
12.Tel Dor: Archaeological Riches by the Sea
13.Balkan Heritage Field Schools for 2011
14.Uncovering the Secrets of Ancient Bethsaida
15.Investigating Food and Drink in Ancient Pompeii
16.Digging the Minoans

See also the 2011 Roman Archaeology digs with the Ecomuseum.

Interested in posting your project as a special feature? Contact pdmclerran@gmail.com

Read about an exciting new vision for conducting archaeological research at the El Pilar Blog.

The Collegiate Journal of Anthropolgy

2011-04-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

College students, submit your best research papers for publication before a worldwide readership in AnthroJournal, the collegiate journal of anthropolgy. Go to AnthroJournal for more information.

The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Programs

2011-03-31T12:04:00.001-07:00

When we think about going on an archaeological dig, most of us perceive it as a largely adult or college student activity. But it may surprise you to know that there are many programs out there that invite youth participation. Indeed, there are programs that are specifically designed for people well below "college age". Perhaps one of the finest examples can be found with the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center. It offers programs for teenagers (high school students), children and families. Using the example of ongoing site investigation in the Mesa Verde area of the American Southwest, this program gives young people at a very early age a chance to learn what it means to undertake systematic excavation and research.......and have fun at the same time. Moreover, you will see when you visit this site that it caters to ALL ages and experience levels. Check it out!

Excavating Tel Kabri: The Aegean Connection

2011-03-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

Did the Minoans walk the ancient land of Canaan? No one can say with certainty, but new evidence is emerging that further supports the possibility. Directors Eric Cline of the George Washington University and Assaf Yasur-Landau of Haifa University, will be leading an excavation this summer that will shed new light on this, and many other questions about the ancient inhabitants who once occupied the site of Tel Kabri.

Located in the western Galilee region of modern Israel, Tel Kabri was the center of a Canaanite polity during the Middle Bronze Age. Excavations conducted by Aharon Kempinski and Wolf-Dietrich Niemeier from 1986-1993 revealed the remains of a palace dating to the Middle Bronze period (ca. 2000-1550 BCE). Tel Kabri has now been revealed to be a large site (more than 200,000 sq. m.) with a continuum of strata from the Neolithic Period to the Iron Age. Most significant are the Middle Bronze Age remains, which include massive fortifications, residential architecture and tombs, and a large palace, as well as an Iron Age fortress with imported Greek pottery and additional evidence for the presence of Greek mercenary soldiers which was partially excavated at the highest part of the Tel.

A rare discovery was made within the palace at Tel Kabri: a floor and walls decorated with paintings done in Aegean style. The painted floor was found within a ceremonial room and was decorated with floral and marbled motifs. The thousands of fragments from one or more wall frescoes included boats, griffin wings, and houses that bore much resemblance to the miniature frescoes found on the Greek island of Santorini. Kabri is one of only four sites in the Eastern Mediterranean to have such Bronze Age Aegean-style paintings and may well be the earliest. Such evidence for artistic connections between the Aegean culture of ancient Crete and the Cyclades with the Canaanites and other inhabitants of the ancient Near East is unique in Israel. It is also very rare elsewhere, existing outside the Aegean only in Egypt at Tel el-Dab’a, the capitol of the Hyksos, and at the sites of Alalakh and Qatna in Syria.

The 2011 Season

The 2011 season will focus on continued excavation of the palace, with the goal of investigating its life cycle, from its humble beginnings to its destruction three centuries later.

Directors Cline and Yasur-Landau are now calling for students and volunteers to help continue the discovery process this summer. If you are interested in being a part of this cutting edge research, go to digkabri.wordpress.com for more information. It may well be an experience you will never forget.

Montpelier From the Ground Down

2011-03-10T07:09:00.000-08:00

For those familiar with the historical foundations of the U.S. American experience, James Madison figures very large among the country's founders. In fact, among his peers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and according to most present day scholars, Madison is widely regarded as the "Father of the U.S. Constitution", reflecting the prominent role he played in it's inception. His famous wife, Dolley Madison, for her part, figured no less prominently on the early American stage. What is less known about the Madisons is the fact that they owned and operated one of America's greatest early plantations, matching those of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and George Mason. Known as Montpelier, the plantation, including the great mansion house, has been preserved for public touring and education and continues to improve what it has to offer to the visiting public through well-organized programs and research. Public participation factors as a major component of the Montpelier experience, and nothing could be more hands-on than the activities designed by the Montpelier Archaeology Department to let the public really get their hands dirty by excavating history in the plantation soil.

THE EXCAVATIONS

Beginning in the spring of 2011, the Montpelier Archaeology Department will be conducting investigations of the "South Yard", an area immediately to the south of the mansion and location of the domestic slave quarters. During the 2011 excavations, archaeology team members will be looking for the structural remains of the quarters, smokehouses, work yards, and the pathways that link them into the broader plantation community. The objective is to examine and interpret the cultural data to help piece together a picture of how the South Yard related to the plantation, and how it helps in developing a more complete understanding of slave life on the plantation and the plantation operations in general.

JOIN THE TEAM!

The Archaeology Department is currently seeking volunteers who would be interested in becoming an integral part of the research team. The season will be divided into nine 1-week programs or sessions (called expeditions), beginning March 27 and ending October 29. With a staff of 8 archaeologists, volunteers will enjoy significant personal interaction with the research team professionals, who will walk the volunteers step-by-step through the entire excavation process, including lab work. The experience includes lectures and tours of various archaeological sites on the property, including the mansion house. For a tax deductible fee of $650, participants will get all of the above for each 1-week expedition, including two group dinners and lodging at the Arlington House, a historic antebellum home located on the estate's historic grounds. All in all, this program ranks among the best for those interested in a practical, hands-on introduction to American historical archaeology. More detailed information about the research, opportunity, and application procedure can be found on the website at www.montpelier.org/archaeologyprograms. For general information about James Madison, Dolley Madison, Montpelier, and the archaeology program, go to www.montpelier.org.

What is it like to be on a dig?

2011-03-02T12:18:00.000-08:00

Never been on an archaeological dig? Read what others have to say about their experience:

1. Who -- me? A Volunteer on a Dig?

2. What Happens on an Archaeological Dig?
3. Digging Old Scatness

Blue Creek: Excavating an Upscale Community

2011-02-20T09:45:00.000-08:00

When we think of the ancient Maya civilization, the monumental centers of Tikal, Palenque, Chichen Itza, and Copan usually come to mind. These, however, are only a few of the countless ancient sites, many of which, though known to exist, still lie unexcavated and unexplored. Still others are yet undiscovered, and their number is still a mystery. The jungle shrouds their secrets. The archaeologists who uncover and investigate these sites have many years of work ahead them before a complete picture of the Maya civilization, and how it mysteriously and suddenly declined, emerges.

Blue Creek

A comparatively small site in northwestern Belize promises to add an important chapter to the story. It will help answer questions about how a medium-sized community of approximately 20,000 people managed to support an unusually wealthy class of residents and a large public precinct surrounded by numerous, well-defined residential structures and agricultural components. Known as Blue Creek, scientists at this site have uncovered a large number of exotic goods, unusual for a community of this size. It is thought that its strategic location, in combination with the techniques the ancient inhabitants employed in agricultural production, defined the foundation for its wealth.

The Project

Dr. Thomas Guderjan of the Maya Research Program is leading a team of archaeologists and other professional staff to find answers to the questions surrounding the site. In 2011, the team will be returning to continue excavations. They are calling for students and volunteers to join them for their 2011 season, which begins May 23 and runs through July 24.

The Field School

Participants will receive training in field and laboratory techniques as well as receive a "crash course" on the Maya and archaeological methodology. Accommodation is at the Blue Creek research station, which has 35 small residential cabanas, a 1500 square foot laboratory building, a main building with a dining hall, and men's and women's restrooms and showers. All meals, equipment and supplies are provided. There will be four two-week sessions. Participants are welcome to join any or all of them.

Join the Team

For the student or enthusiast of Maya archaeology, the Blue Creek experience represents one of the best field school opportunities available for this region of the world. If you are interested in becoming a part of it, you can find out more by going to www.mayaresearchprogram.org or by emailing Dr. Guderjan at guderjan@gmail.com. The project staff has prepared an excellent, detailed Participant Guide that will tell you just about everything you would want to know as a Project student or volunteer. The Guide can be accessed at the website.

Archaeological Field Services

2011-02-19T14:51:00.000-08:00

ADS Peatland Archaeological Field School June – July 2011

Introduction

Archaeological Development Services Ltd (ADS) are archaeological consultants to Bord na Móna (BnM), Irelands largest peat producer since 1998. During this time we have carried out fieldwalking surveys and have excavated over 200 archaeological sites in their industrial peatlands in the Irish Midlands.

The wealth and diverse nature of archaeological sites, artefacts and environmental information preserved in Irish peat bogs is unparalleled. The wooden trackways, platforms, gravel and stone roadways excavated to date have ranged from the Neolithic to Later Medieval Periods, many of which are unique to the archaeological record. With our academic partners in Reading University and Royal Holloway University of London we have facilitated hands on undergraduate training, Masters and Doctorate theses in Palaeoenvironmental research including tephrachronology, peat stratigraphy, insect analysis and the development of new geophysical survey techniques.

For 2011 we have developed a practical field-based training school providing a unique opportunity to those seeking an introduction to field archaeology. The two week field school has been developed with the aim of providing participants with practical training of the highest professional standard from experienced practising peatland archaeologists. There is also the opportunity for those who have completed the two week instruction course to participate in an additional two or four weeks excavation season.

The aim of the ADS Peatland Archaeological Field School is to provide the participant with the skills to locate, identify, record and excavate archaeological structures in Peatlands and to interpret the sites in order to gain an insight into human interaction within marginal landscapes. This information will be put into context with the surrounding archaeological monuments in the ‘dry land’ areas and provide a more detailed picture of the particular social group and their way of life.

At the end of the course Participants will:

An understanding of Irish archaeology
have knowledge and understanding of Irish Peatland Archaeology
be able to identify archaeological sites through field walking survey
be able to distinguish archaeological wood from naturally occurring wood remains
be able to record, excavate and interpret different Peatland sites

Field School summary course outline:

Week 1 starts with a day in the classroom where participants will learn about Irish archaeology, Irish peatlands, the history of excavations in peatlands, sites excavated to date and their local and regional contexts.

On-site training will commence on day two with training in archaeological field walking. By the end of the week students will have learnt how to identify, record and sample sites.

In week 2 participants will receive training in the excavation of a trackway where they will be shown excavation techniques, recording, completion of feature sheets, drawing, peat stratigraphy, photography and sampling.

An additional two to four weeks excavation experience is also on offer to those that have completed the two week training course. During this time participants will get the opportunity to further their skills with additional supervision as well as gaining hands on experience in palaeoenvironmental sampling.

University accreditation is pending, participants will be supplied with a certificate of satisfactory completion of the field school and additional excavation season if completed.

Dates for 2011 are as follows:

Peatland Archaeological Field School 20th June – 1st July / 4th-15th July / 18th-29th July

Additional Practical Peatland Excavation 4th – 15th July & 18th-29th July

Fees:

Fees are inclusive of accommodation which is provided on a self catering basis, transport to and from site as well as a learning pack including field manual and log book and the provision of excavation equipment for use while in attendance. The school runs Monday – Friday inclusive 9am – 4.30pm participants are free to explore the beautiful sites and scenary of the Irish Midlands at the weekends or may avail of additional guided tours of sites of interest in the local area for a small additional fee.

Peatland Archaeological Field School €1,450

Additional Practical Peatland Excavation €1,200 for two weeks / €2,000 for four weeks

Location:

Accomodation will be provided in Athlone, Co Westmeath and the Field School will be based near Ballyforan, Co Galway.

Booking

A deposit of 50% of the fee payable before 31st March 2011 will secure your booking with the balance due by 1st May 2011. Booking forms and furter details are available by emailing training@adsireland.ie or by contacting Jane Whitaker directly at 00353 866012040.

__________________________________________

ADS Introduction to Forensic Anthropology 2011

Archaeological Development Services Ltd (ADS) are one of Ireland’s leading archaeological service providers. For 2011 we have developed a practical course in Forensic Anthropology providing a unique opportunity to those interested in seeking an introduction to the study of human remains in archaeology and, in a broader context, the archaeology of death in Ireland. The training provided will be of interest to many who work in archaeology, including current students of archaeology as well as professionals who seek to learn more about this specialised area within archaeology. The course has been developed with the aim of providing participants with practical training of the highest professional standard from practising professional archaeologists and Ireland’s leading forensic anthropologist, Laureen Buckley.

Laureen has studied human skeletal remains from an archaeological context for 25 years. She is regularly consulted by the Gardai and the State Pathologists’ for advice on skeletal material and to aid in identification of human remains from a forensic context. She is currently also an honorary lecturer in the Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Laureen has studied human skeletal remains from all periods from the Bronze Age, Early Medieval and the Post-medieval period, concentrating on palaeopathology and weapon trauma.

The human body, and particularly the skeleton, has always been a source of fascination, providing inspiration to artists and being a necessary learning aid for medical students over the centuries. Archaeologists have long experienced a rise in public interest when skeletons are found on an excavation site, not only from schoolchildren wanting to hear the gory details of the deaths of these people, but also from the local community who are amazed to find that their ancestors were closer than they thought. Students from all areas, young and old, continue to find human bone fascinating. It seems that once an interest is sparked, and the depth of information that can be revealed from reading a skeleton is realised, then the osteology student is hooked for life.

Forensic Anthropology is the interpretation of the human skeleton to reconstruct the life of the person. The experiences of a person’s life leave an imprint on their bones and the forensic anthropologist seeks to answer as many questions as possible:

Did they die young or live to an old age?

Did they have a good diet or did they suffer from malnutrition?

How tall did they grow?

Were they quiet and sedentary or did they have a vigorous lifestyle?

Were they afflicted with chronic disease?

Did they inherit traits from their parents?

The above are just some of the questions that can be answered by those with the skills to read bones, and they can reveal fascinating details about the life, and sometimes the death, of a person who lived centuries ago.

Introduction to Forensic Anthropology summary course outline

This two week course consists of a series of lectures and laboratory work. Students will have the opportunity to examine the human skeleton in detail, learn to identify the different bones and discover the wealth of information they contain. Topics covered include

. Introduction to the skeleton and skeletal development

. Determination of Sex, Age and Living Stature

. Congenital Developmental Abnormalities

. Post-mortem or ante-mortem bone changes

. Palaeopathology of Skeletal Remains

University accreditation is pending, participants will be supplied with a certificate of satisfactory completion of the field school.

Dates for 2001 are as follows:

20^th June – 1^st July

4^th-15^th July

18^th-29^th July

Fees:

Fees are inclusive of accommodation which is provided on a self catering basis, a learning pack and log book and the provision of laboratory equipment for use while in attendance. The school runs Monday – Friday inclusive 9am – 4.30pm. Participants are free to explore the beautiful sites and scenary of the Irish Midlands at the weekends or may avail of additional guided tours of sites of interest in the local area for a small additional fee.

Introduction to Forensic Anthropology €1,995

Location:

Accommodation will be provided in Kells, Co Meath and the school will be based in the ADS offices and laboratories in Kells Business Park.

Booking:

See the website for these training opportunities at www.adsireland.ie.

Excavating a Colonial Era Fort

2011-02-12T07:07:00.000-08:00

May 16-June 24, 2011: Fort Shirley Excavation

The Penn State Department of Anthropology will offer an archaeological field school that will excavate Fort Shirley, an important Colonial-era fort erected in 1755.

Whether you are a current anthropology student or simply interested in learning more about the subject, this program will provide an extraordinary opportunity for you to get firsthand experience in archaeological fieldwork. You can learn how to lay out grids, use a total station, excavate, and conduct preliminary laboratory work. Most instruction will be hands-on training in the field. The course will also offer lectures on historic archaeology and Pennsylvania history.

This course can provide good preparation for employment in contract archaeology and for graduate school in anthropology. However, students interested in history, geology, and other related fields also can benefit from this exciting and unique experience.

For more information, go to www.outreach.psu.edu/programs/field-school/index.html

Photo Credit: Greg Grieco

Unearthing Tiberias: Shedding Light on an Ancient Religeous Center

2011-02-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

The Tiberias excavations are located in the heart of the ancient city of Tiberias, less than 1 km south of the modern city, just across the street from the beautiful and historic Sea of Galilee.

Tiberias was founded in 19 C.E. by king Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, as the new capital of his kingdom. In spite of the original objection of the Jews of Galilee to settle the new city, named in honor of the Roman emperor Tiberius, it was not long before Tiberias became the Jewish capital of the Galilee, rivaled only by its sister-city, Sepphoris. Historical sources inform us of both pagan and Christian communities struggling to find their place alongside the Jewish community within the social and urban networks. Although sources are mute regarding the political leadership in Tiberias during the Byzantine period, some records, along with recently discovered archaeological finds, point to a strong Christian community lead by the bishop of the city.

The peaceful surrender of the city at the time of the Arab conquest, guaranteed the residents of Tiberias fair treatment by the newly established Islamic government. In fact, Tiberias reached its peak during the Early Islamic period as the new capital of the province Jund al-Urdunn, replacing Beth Shean, the capital of the Roman-Byzantine province of Palestina Secunda. Recent archaeological excavations in and around the ancient city of Tiberias, have helped us re-evaluate the centrality of the city during this period, indicating that it may have been even more marvelous than previously realized.

The decline of Tiberias during the 11^th century, until its final destruction and relocation by the Crusaders to its present setting, is likely due to a series of natural disasters and repeated rampages led against the city by violent nomadic tribes.

Current Excavations

Dozens of excavations have been carried out to date in and around the modern city of Tiberias. The site on which our excavation focuses is at the center of the ancient city. Previously excavated structures at this location include a bathhouse complex, a basilical building, a large colonnaded structure and what has been identified as the foundations for the temple to the emperor Hadrian. It has recently been suggested by the director of this project, Dr. Katia Cytryn-Silverman, that the large colonnaded structure, originally identified as a covered market, is none other than the city’s congregational mosque, comparable to other buildings of this type found throughout the region, and modeled after the Great Mosque of Damascus.

The main goal of our study is to better understand the layout and phases of the colonnaded building in order to determine it usage and character, while studying it in both its stratigraphic and urban contexts. We aim to achieve this goal by utilizing the information gained in past excavations, along with continual, meticulous field work.

To date, four excavation seasons were conducted in the framework of the new excavation project at Tiberias. Initial data was retrieved prompting further research questions dealing with the building, its phases and its urban context. These questions are the focus of our work in the upcoming seasons. Special finds from the previous seasons include: a mosaic floor, a large water cistern, Arabic inscriptions, complete oil lamps, figurines, brass chains from which glass oil lamps were suspended and hundreds of coins.

How You Can Help

The New Tiberias Excavation Project is calling for students, volunteers and professionals alike who would be interested in participating and making a difference.

The staff is comprised of students and personnel from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The work force consists of students and volunteers from around the globe as well as local workers from the Galilee. The volunteers (18 years and older) need no previous experience in order to participate in an array of tasks related to the archaeological field work: excavating, sifting, washing and reading of the pottery, and registering the finds found in the excavation. Volunteers are also provided with field trips to nearby sites as well as lectures on topics related to the research prompting this excavation.

The 2011 season will be four weeks long, beginning May 22 and concluding on June 17. The work week is from Monday through Friday; the work day begins at 5:00am and ends at 1:00pm, with field trips and lectures during the afternoon and evening hours. The expedition will be staying at the Aviv Hotel, a 10 minute walk from the site along the promenade of the Sea of Galilee, and a five minute walk from the city center of modern Tiberias. All rooms have a private bathroom, TV, air-conditioning and a balcony. Single and double rooms are available, as are camping options.

There is a non-refundable application fee of US$100, which should be made payable to “The Israel Exploration Society”. The cost for participation is $1350 for half the season and $2550 for the entire four weeks (camping options are also available). This sum covers room and full board from Sunday evening check in through the end of the work day on Friday, as well as all afternoon activities. The fee does not include airfare to and from Israel or transportation within the country; participants must make their own travel arrangements.

Students may arrange to receive academic credits through the Rothberg International School of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (and transfer the credits to their home institution). The cost is US$80 for the application fee and US$120 per academic credit. Participants will receive 2 credits for participation during half of the season and 4 credits for the entire season. The payment for the credits should be made directly to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Students opting to receive academic credits must fulfill the requirements set by the field school directors (attending all field trips and lectures, tasks in the field and writing of an academic paper relating to the project).

For further information and application forms, please contact:

Shulamit Miller

Institute of Archaeology

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Mount Scopus

91905 Jerusalem, Israel

E-mail: tiberiasexcavation@gmail.com

Website: http://archaeology.huji.ac.il/Tiberias

Excavating History at Bamburgh

2011-01-27T10:30:00.000-08:00

Bamburgh is a small, picturesque village on the Northumberland coast of the United Kingdom, unique in its beauty and its history. The village is overlooked by a stunning medieval fortress that is iconic in the region. The citadel was the royal seat of the kings of Northumbria, who at one time ruled a kingdom that stretched from the River Humber to the Firth of Forth. Three were recognized as overlords of all Britain. The site has been pivotal throughout the history of the British Isles, and is -- remarkably -- still inhabited today.

The Site

The Bamburgh Research Project has been excavating at Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, UK since 1996. The present castle is one of the most stunning locations in the UK, with an extensive archaeological legacy. The excavations are set within the castle walls in the West Ward, and we are excavating through 4 metres of stratified deposits that are the result of occupation on the site from as early as the Neolithic (and likely Mesolithic).

The excavations are now increasingly exciting, as excavators are approaching the 9th Century levels relating to the castle's heyday as a principal Anglo Saxon Palace and fortress of the Kings of Northumbria. The excavations have recently produced a large hoard of Anglo Saxon coins, known as Styccas, a great deal of assorted metalwork including gold mounts and horse harness fittings, spokeshaves, knives, Seaxes, a shield boss, chain-mail and evidence of intense metalworking on site, in addition to other craft activities such as weaving, bone-working and leather. They have even revealed a 'gin gang' mortar mixer, and evidence of stone-built buildings and timber structures. The castle at this period was a very busy place and the archaeology reflects it, with complex deep stratigraphy and large numbers of finds from all periods, including Roman material brought up from lower levels by large medieval pits.

The site has been featured on many TV programs, including a recent episode of 'Time Team'. The project staff also run their own media unit, recording the site through video and editing content during the season.

They also run a new site nearby, which is a wetland excavation - exploring a peat bog that began forming in the post-glacial period. There are many sites in the vicinity that have never been excavated, and they aim to explore some of those this summer. They began excavating the prehistoric lake edge last summer and have revealed an interesting flagstone feature associated with a great deal of charred material and Neolithic Flint Tools. A recent Archaeo-Mag date has placed this feature at 4500BC, which if correct, makes it a rather important and intriguing discovery. They will be stripping the area around this feature during the summer to see if they can uncover associated features or sites.

The Field School

Students who participate in the project will have the opportunity to dig at both the castle and the wetland sites (depending on the length of their stay). This field school is open to all students and volunteers. The professional staff provides training in all aspects of practical fieldwork techniques including excavation, drawing, photography, site recording, survey, post excavation analysis, databasing, sampling and environmental processing, artefact recognition and processing, and site interpretation. The site is run by professional field archaeologists who will work directly with participants in the trenches. The school runs between 6th June to 31st July in 2011. Price £160 per week plus £35 camping fee per week.

Students book using the online booking form on the ‘Get Involved’ section of our website.

The project is open to ANYONE - as full training will be provided. For more details please apply online using our website: www.bamburghresearchproject.co.uk

Dig for a Day – this is available to members of the public who want to experience the excavation but don’t have time to spend more than a day or so on site – email gerry.twomey@bamburghresearchproject.co.uk for more info or to purchase gift certificates that can be used during the excavation.

You can also find us through the following links:

our website: www.bamburghresearchproject.co.uk

blog: bamburghresearchproject.wordpress.com

YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/bamburghmedia

Twitter @ http://twitter.com/brparchaeology

Uncovering the Mysteries of Khirbet Qeiyafa

2011-01-24T06:59:00.000-08:00

Anyone following major archaeological discoveries in Israel will recall the pottery shard whereon was found five lines of what may be the oldest Hebrew script ever discovered. The find was uncovered at a hitherto unknown archaeological site known as Khirbet Qeiyafa. Despite its mystery, it is emerging as one of the most important archaeological excavations in Israel, revealing an ancient city that may tell a new story about life during the times of ancient Israel's best known kings. Add to this its massive fortifications and its strategic location between Jerusalem and ancient Israel's coastal plain on the main road from ancient Philistia, and we have a site that promises to add much to our understanding of Iron Age Judah. It is in this area that the famous battle between David and Goliath may have taken place.

During previous excavations, an early Iron Age II stratum was uncovered, including a massive casemate wall, a monumental four-chambered gate and residential buildings. Radiometric dating places this stratum in the years 1,000 - 975 B.C., the time of King David. This makes it the only site in Judah that can be securely dated to the time of King David. The 2011 Season (June 12 - July 22) will continue to explore the site's fortifications and its urban layout.

Students and volunteers will have the opportunity to participate and help make a difference in this effort to answer important questions about this significant location. If you are interested in joining the team this summer, go to qeiyafa.huji.ac.il to learn more about how to apply. You may also find additional information about the project at Foundation Stone's site at www.foundationstone.org.

Founding Fathers?

2011-01-04T18:39:00.000-08:00

Plato's writings about an ancient advanced civilization may not be altogether fantasy. New scientific research is raising some tantalizing new considerations. Was there indeed a great founding culture and people that gave rise to the well-known civilizations that ringed and navigated the Mediterranean and laid foundations for the emergence of European societies? Read more about this at Popular Archaeology.

Exploring the Early Years of Alexander the Great

2011-01-04T10:50:00.000-08:00

In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great: from Boy to King

For more than 2,000 years Alexander the Great has excited the imagination of people around the globe. A tour in Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia offers a unique opportunity to retrace his early footsteps from his birth through to the beginning of his extraordinary 22,000 mile journey of conquest.

Traveling back through time, participants will explore the world in which Alexander grew up, from the palace in which he was born to the rural idyll where he and his companions were educated by Aristotle. They will learn about Alexander’s personality and the lives of the people who inhabited his tumultuous world. They will follow in his footsteps from young prince to king and trace these action-packed years as he took on the mantle of warrior and leader and embarked on his campaign of conquest of the Persian Empire.

Alexander’s formative years were dominated by the rapid expansion of the Macedonian kingdom, as his father Philip II carved out vast new provinces. Participants will learn about this expanded realm from East to West and North to South, following routes that Alexander took as regent to his father, the king, while familiarising himself with the land that he was born to rule. They will explore the lakes and forests of Western Macedonia, the new cities of Herakleia Lynkestis and Philippi that his father founded to secure his realm, and the rich and fertile heartland of the kingdom itself: Pella, Vergina and Edessa. They will visit the sites of some of the most famous sieges and battles that accompanied this rapid expansion, from the cities of Methone, Olynthos and Stageira to the battlefield of Chaironeia.

Having explored the epicenter of Alexander’s kingdom, and stood in the magnificent tomb where his father was laid to rest, the group will head south into the heartland of ancient Greece. Here they will investigate the cities and sanctuaries that played a key role in the development of Macedonia, from Delphi to Corinth, Olympia to Athens, some of the most significant sites in the ancient world.

The adventure finishes in the most important sanctuary of the Macedonians, Dion, where Alexander feasted with his men and prepared them for the battles and marches to come on their epic journey east.

For more detailed information about this escorted tour, see Peter Sommer Travels.

Photo courtesy Heinrich Hall/Peter Sommer travels.

Digging Ancient Rome: The Ostia Antica Marina Field School

2010-12-10T10:48:00.000-08:00

Anyone interested in a well-designed and substantive field school focusing on a very exciting site should seriously consider The American Institute for Roman Culture’s Summer Archaeology Field School. It is a six-week intensive learning opportunity in Roman archaeology. The program will be held from June 20 through July 31, 2011 and offers students a unique combination of 5 weeks of on-site field work and one week of specialized academic instruction by expert archaeologists and AIRC professors. As the program is centered in Rome, there will also be visits to major Roman museums and open-air sites to augment field studies and provide participants with a broader context of what life was like in ancient Rome.

Participants in the field school will be given the opportunity to develop their archaeological expertise in the third season of excavation outside the Porta Marina in Ostia Antica, the port city of ancient Rome. The Ostia Marina project, operating under the auspices of the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma (Ostia Antica office) and the University of Bologna (Department of Archaeology, with the collaboration of the Faculty of Preservation of Cultural Heritage), is a multi-year re-evaluation of the suburban neighborhood that lay on the ancient seashore immediately outside of the city walls at the Porta Marina (Sea Gate). The area is populated by private homes, funeral monuments, religious sanctuaries, and large public structures, including several bath complexes, dating between the Late Republican and Late Antique periods. It is best known for a luxurious late-4th century AD seafront residence that yielded one of the most complete and lavish examples of wall and floor decoration made of precisely cut and arranged colored marble fragments (opus sectile) from anywhere in the Roman world.

The excavation site is a large (80 x 80 m) complex lying between the opus sectile building and the Marciana/Porta Marina Baths started by the emperor Trajan. Geophysical prospection (magnetometry and GPR) indicates a large open area in the northwest that may be a palaestra, which in turn suggests that the structure is also a bath complex. It is the first entirely unexplored building to be excavated at Ostia in 50 years, and it is particularly important because it preserves intact the Late Antique-Early Medieval (ca. AD 300-800) layers and features that were elsewhere destroyed with little or no documentation in the clearance excavations of 1938-1942.

The 2011 season will concentrate on the exploration and documentation of several rooms in the complex. Materials recovered so far include marble decorative slabs, marble columns and capitals, mosaic flooring, painted wall fresco (some of very high quality), ceramic and glass vessels, and assorted minor artifacts such as bone utensils and coins. These materials are evidence of a prestigious function, possibly public or imperial.

The archaeological training is provided on-site, using the extraordinary setting of Ostia Antica as a living laboratory, by a staff of professionals in archaeology and related disciplines: Ostia Marina project director Prof. Massimiliano David (University of Bologna), Professor of Topography Dario Giorgetti (University of Bologna), Field Director Marcello Turci (University of Rome), Alberto Prieto (Associate Director of Archaeology, AIRC), and others. In addition to the principles of stratigraphic excavation, the participants are given expert instruction in analysis and classification of materials (pottery, marble, glass, coins, etc.), archaeological drawing, Roman building materials and techniques, and digital modeling using a total data station.

The program aims to supply participants with both a synchronic and diachronic approach to the study of Roman culture. Through this dual approach, those involved in the program will gain a more comprehensive historical and cultural overview of Rome and Roman civilization, from its rise to power to its decline, understanding how it set a standard of cultural values that continues to exert influence over the entire Western world to this day. Applications for participation are due by April 30.

Program Co-directors: Prof. Massimiliano David (University of Bologna), Dr. Angelo Pellegrino (Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma, Ostia Antica office), Dr. Darius Arya (AIRC), and Dr. Alberto Prieto (AIRC)

More detailed information about the field school, including costs and how to apply, can be obtained at the website.

Tel Dor: Archaeological Riches by the Sea

2010-12-02T20:11:00.000-08:00

About 30 kilometers directly south of Haifa, Israel, lies a very large tel (an earth mound containing ancient architectural and artifact remains) that tells a story crossing at least eight civilizations. The story is largely a commercial one, as the ancient seaport city of Dor on the Mediterranean coast of present day Israel was host to the trading activities of a number of civilizations or cultures that ringed the Mediterranean world in ancient times. Once a Canaanite city, its history spans settlement or rule by "Sea Peoples", Phoenicians, the Solomonic monarchy, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. Finally, in the thirteenth century A.D., a Crusader castle was built on the site. Few sites of the ancient world can boast a settlement history more varied and complex than this.

The 2011 Excavation Season

From June 28 to August 5, excavations will resume at Dor under the direction of Ilan Sharon (the Hebrew University) and Ayelet Gilboa (Haifa University). The areas under investigation consist of an elite Iron Age I section that includes a large complex (possibly a palace or administrative building); further evidence of early Iron Age destruction; the Hellenistic city and large Iron Age Phoenician public structures; and other Persian and Iron Age layers, which include remnants of an Assyrian fort. Work will include the analysis of finds and stratigraphy at the site museum. The season will afford students and volunteers the opportunity to participate in all facets of state-of-the-art field archaeology. This will include excavation, digital registration of architecture and artifacts using advanced graphics and database software, sampling and analysis of deposits, analysis of finds and stratigraphy, and site conservation. Participants may arrange for academic credit (formal field school instruction) through the Rothberg International School of the Hebrew University. Students in this program will receive academic instruction in archaeological field methods and theory, the processing and analysis of material excavated each day, and afternoon lectures on archaeology, history, and specialized studies of the site and region.

There is no doubt that the Tel Dor excavation is considered to be one of the most exciting excavations in this part of the world, as history and archaeology at this location are exceptionally rich and the location boasts beautiful views of the bay and ocean!

Join The Team

Don't just read about history. Help make a difference -- feel it, discover it, and make it a part of you. You can learn more about the project and the application procedure by going to the website at http://dor.huji.ac.il/.

Contact Information:

eblochsm@sju.edu, or
bloch-smith@msn.com

Underwater Archaeology in the Mediterranean

2010-11-17T07:59:00.000-08:00

For 2011, the Ecomuseum of the Cape Cavalleria will be exploring the Roman port of Sanitja and the coast of the Cape of Cavalleria, identifying structures of the Roman city of Sanisera as well as shipwrecks. The port of Sanitja was not only occupied by the Romans. There are also ruins on land of a Muslim mosque and English defense tower which suggests that we will find underwater evidence from these periods as well. The course is designed to provide practical experience in underwater archaeological field work, from site discovery to lab analysis. Participants will gain experience in various activities such as surveying methods, site reconnaissance, recording, drawing, mapping, position fixing, photography, laboratory processing, securing and surfacing artifacts. If the situation arises, we will also be extracting at risk artifacts (from looting) from the port and study them in the lab. Students will also attend lectures on Roman archaeology. The course runs six hours a day, six days a week. The day will be divided between diving in the port of Sanijta, lab work, exercises, lectures, videos and excursions. The course schedule is designed to be flexible because this program is dependent on weather and conditions at sea. In addition to daily research activities, participants will learn about the history and culture of Menorca through organized excursions. The course is taught in English and Spanish. Participants will be able to choose between Group 1: No open water diving certificate, or Group 2: Possession of and open water diving certificate from an internationally recognized organization. Please join our facebook page Ecomuseum Cavalleria to see photos and to read daily updates of the site.

Experience underwater archaeological field work, from site discovery to lab analysis. Participants will gain experience in various activities such as surveying methods, site reconnaissance, recording, drawing, mapping, position fixing, photography, and laboratory processing. Students will also attend lectures on Roman archaeology.

The course runs six hours a day, six days a week with one day off a week. The day will be divided between diving in the port of Sanitja, lab work, exercises, lectures, videos and excursions. The course schedule is designed to be flexible because this operation is dependent on conditions at sea.

In addition to the daily research activities, students will learn about the history and culture of Menorca through organized excursions. The course is taught in English and Spanish.

Location: Es Mercadal, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Season Dates: May 18, 2011 - November 14, 2011
Session Dates: #1: May 18 – May 31. #2: June 3 – June 16. #3: June 25 – July 8. #4: July 11 – July 24. #5: July 28 – August 10. #6: August 13 – August 26. #7: August 30 – September 12. #8: September 20 –October 3. #9: November 1 – November 14, 2011
Application Deadline: October 1, 2011

Website: http://www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com

Program Type
Field school

Affiliation: Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria and the Sa Nitja Association

Project Director: Fernando Contreras and Carlos Cabrera

Period(s) of Occupation: Roman to modern

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 14 days

Minimum Age: 18 (contact with questions about age)

Experience Required: no

Room and Board Arrangements

Participants will stay in one of the Ecomuseum's three student residences. All of our residences have heating/air-conditioning, laundry service and wifi. Transportation to and from the dive site and planned excursions are included. Cost includes full room and board, transportation, accidental medical insurance,planned excursions, weights, tanks and air, PADI for those in group # 1, application fee and administrative cost. Airfare not included.

Cost: $2,400 to $3,400 per session

Academic Credit
Number of credits offered: none

Contact Information
Lana Johnson
APDO 68
Es Mercadal, Menorca 07740
Spain
sanisera@arrakis.es
Phone: (34) 699 69 55 80

The Necropolis of a Roman City

2010-11-17T07:47:00.000-08:00

For 2011, we will be excavating a cluster of Roman tombs belonging to a cemetery located on the outskirts of the Roman city of Sanisera that was occupied from 123 B.C. to A.D. 550. The excavation is directed by Fernando Contreras, director of the Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria, and Thaïs Fadrique with the collaboration of specialists in physical anthropology and conservation.

The course runs seven hours a day which is divided between excavation of the tombs and laboratory work, studying the human remains and other materials recovered during the excavation (The amount of time dedicated to lab work may vary each session depending on the state of the tombs excavated, i.e. how many individuals per tomb, etc.). Students will also participate in lectures, classes, exercises and excursion.

Participants will learn and apply excavation techniques used in physical anthropology when excavating tombs. In the laboratory, participants will follow guidelines set by an anthropologist and other specialist for the classification, study, and conservation of human remains and other related material found. Participants will also be given lectures on methodology, roman archaeology, physical anthropology, and conservation of archaeological materials. Participants will visit other archaeological sites on the island through organized excursions. Courses are given in both English and Spanish.

Location: Es Mercadal, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Season Dates: March 29, 2011 - October 31, 2011
Session Dates: 1) March 29 - April 17; 2) April 20 - May 9; 3) May 12-3;, 4) June 3-22; 5) June 25 - July 14; 6) July 17 - August 5; 7) August 8-27; 8) August 30 - September 18; 9) September 20 - October 9; and 10) October 12-31, 2011
Application Deadline: October 1, 2011

Website: http://www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com

Program Type
Field school

Affiliation: Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria and the Sa Nitja Association

Project Director: Fernando Contreras

Period(s) of Occupation: Roman

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 20 days

Minimum Age: 18 (contact with questions about age)

Experience Required: no

Room and Board Arrangements

Participants will stay in one of the Ecomuseum's three student residences. All of our residences have heating/air-conditioning, laundry service and wifi. Transportation to and from the excavation site and planned excursions are included. Cost includes full room and board, transportation, accidental medical insurance, planned excursions, application fee and administrative cost. Airfare not included.

Cost includes full room and board, transportation, accidental medical insurance, planned excursions, application fee and administrative cost. Airfare not included.

Cost: Between $1,500 and $2,500 per session

Academic Credit
Number of credits offered: none

Contact Information
Lana Johnson
APDO 68
Es Mercadal, Menorca 07740
Spain
sanisera@arrakis.es
Phone: (34)699695580

The Cave: Roman Funerary Archaeology

2010-11-17T07:40:00.000-08:00

The Cape of Cavalleria Ecomuseum in Menorca, Spain, has scheduled for 2011 the excavation of funerary deposits made by the first inhabitants of Menorca. The excavation is directed by Fernando Contreras, director of the Cape of Cavalleria Ecomuseum in collaboration with other specialists in physical anthropology and conservation. The course runs 7 hours a day which is divided between excavation of the cave and laboratory work; study and conservation of the human remains and other materials recovered from the burial site. The fieldwork focuses on the spatial distribution of the individuals and the objects related to their rituals and grave goods. Students will also participate in lectures, classes, exercises and excursions related to the course material. For every seven course days there are two days off. Participants will learn and apply excavation techniques used in physical anthropology when excavating the cave tombs. In the laboratory, participants will follow guidelines set by an anthropologist and other specialists for the classification, study, and conservation of human remains and other related material found. Participants will also be given lectures on methodology, roman archaeology, physical anthropology and classification of archaeological materials. Participants will visit other archaeological sites on the island through organized excursions. Courses are given in both English and Spanish.

Location: Es Mercadal, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Website: http://www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com

Program Type
Field school

Affiliation: The Sa Nitja Association and Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria

Project Director: Fernando Contreras

Period(s) of Occupation: Bronze Age

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 20 days

Minimum Age: 18 (contact with questions about age)

Experience Required: no

Room and Board Arrangements

Participants will stay in one of the Ecomuseum's three student residences. All of our residences have heating/air-conditioning, laundry service and wifi. Transportation to and from the excavation site and planned excursions are included. Cost includes full room and board, transportation, accidental medical insurance, planned excursions, application fee and administrative cost. Airfare not included.

Cost: Between $1,500 and $2,500 per session

Academic Credit
Number of credits offered: none

Contact Information
Lana Johnson
APDO 68
Es Mercadal, Menorca 07740
Spain
sanisera@arrakis.es
Phone: (34) 699 69 55 80

The Roman City and Necropolis Dig

2010-11-17T07:31:00.000-08:00

The Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria in Menorca, Spain, has scheduled for 2011, the excavation of Sanisera: The Roman City and Necropolis. The occupation of the city began in 123 B.C. and lasted until A.D. 650. Participants will excavate both areas of the site, dedicating one half of the session to each area. The excavation is directed by Fernando Contreras, director of the Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria in collaboration with other archaeologists and specialists in physical anthropology and conservation. The course runs seven hours per day, with time dedicated to both excavation and laboratory work. The course is divided into two halves: the Roman City Dig and the Necropolis Dig. The excavation of the Necropolis focuses on funerary structures, specifically inhumations. Participants will learn and apply excavation techniques used in physical anthropology when excavating tombs. In the laboratory participants will be instructed by an anthropologist and other specialists in the classification, study, and conservation of human remains and other related materials found. The excavation of the Roman City focuses on the urban structures of Sanisera. During this part of the excavation, participants will receive an intensive introduction to basic aspects of field excavation techniques following the Harris Matrix. In the lab, participants will process, classify and study excavated materials, focusing on Roman pottery. Participants will also be given lectures on methodology, Roman archaeology, physical anthropology and classification of archaeological materials. Participants will visit other archaeological sites on the island through organized excursions. Courses are given in both English and Spanish. For every seven course days there are two days off. We post photos and daily undates from the site on our facebook page Ecomuseum Cavalleria

Location: Es Mercadal, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Website: http://www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com

Program Type
Field school

Affiliation: Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria and the Sa Nitja Association

Project Director: Fernando Contreras

Period(s) of Occupation: Roman

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 20 days

Minimum Age: 18 (contact with questions about age)

Experience Required: no

Room and Board Arrangements

Participants will stay in one of the Ecomuseum's three student residences. All of our residences have heating/air-conditioning, laundry service and wifi. Transportation to and from the excavation site and planned excursions are included. Cost includes full room and board, transportation, accidental medical insurance, planned excursions, application fee and administrative cost. Airfare not included.

Cost: Between $1,500 and $2,500 per session

Academic Credit
Number of credits offered: none

Contact Information
Lana Johnson
APDO 68
Es Mercadal, Menorca 07740
Spain
sanisera@arrakis.es
Phone: (34) 699 69 55 80

The Roman City of Sanisera

2010-11-17T07:23:00.000-08:00

For 2011, we will be excavating the Roman City of Sanisera, that overlooks the natural port of Sanitja. Students will learn and gain experience in excavation using the Harris Matrix. Various instruments and tools will be used to record stratigraphy and document the plans and photographs of the excavation. In the museum laboratory, students will study excavated material and learn basic techniques of artifact recording, focusing on Roman pottery. In addition to the daily excavation and laboratory work, students will also participate in conferences on methodology and Roman archaeology, and will visit other museums and archaeological sites on the island. Courses are given in English and Spanish.

The Romans first arrived on Menorca in the year 123 B.C. when the Roman army conquered the Balearic islands. For 600 years more, Menorca would form a part of the immense Roman empire. On the island, the Romans formed three cities. Of those cities, Sanisera (our archaeological site) was built around the port of Sanitja in the northernmost part of the island. The city flourished due to the heavy maritime commercial industry that received boats going from Spain to Italy and from France to Africa. The impressiveness of Sanisera can be appreciated in the present by the quantity and quality of the amphoras and other roman artifacts that have been found in recent excavations. Sanisera is situated in a spectacular natural reserve next to the Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria.

Location: Es Mercadal, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Website: http://www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com

Program Type
Field school

Affiliation: Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria and the Sa Nitja Association

Project Director: Fernando Contreras

Period(s) of Occupation: Roman

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 20 days

Minimum Age: 18 (contact with questions about age)

Experience Required: no

Room and Board Arrangements

Participants will stay in one of the Ecomuseum's three student residences. All of our residences have heating/air-conditioning, laundry service and wifi. Transportation to and from the excavation site and planned excursions are included. Cost includes full room and board, transportation, accidental medical insurance, planned excursions, application fee and administrative cost. Airfare not included.

Cost includes full room and board, transportation to and from the site, accidental medical insurance, planned excursions, application fee and administrative cost. Airfare not included.

Cost: Between $1,000 and $2,500 per session

Academic Credit
Number of credits offered: none

Contact Information
Lana Johnson
APDO 68
Es Mercadal, Menorca 07740
Spain
sanisera@arrakis.es
Phone: (34) 699 69 55 80

The Cave and Roman Necropolis Dig

2010-11-17T06:32:00.000-08:00

For 2011,the Cape of Cavalleria Ecomuseum in Menorca, Spain, has scheduled the excavation of two burial sites: The Roman Necropolis and the Prehistoric Cave. The students will be introduced to Mediterranean Physical Anthropology by excavating in these two sites: the prehistoric cave during the first half of the course, and the Roman Necropolis during the second half. The Roman Necropolis Dig involves the excavation of a cluster of roman tombs belonging to a cemetery located on the outskirts of the roman city of Sanisera, which was occupied from 123 B.C. to 550 A.D.

The Prehistoric Cave Dig is focused on the excavation of funerary deposits made by the first inhabitants of Menorca. The dig takes place in a cave known as “Cueva de la Costa Norte”, very close to the Cape of Cavalleria Ecomuseum. It is a collective burial site which dates between 2000 and 1350 B.C. It involves the collection of burnt bone samples, pottery vessels, bronze and bone pendants and beads, among other artifacts.

The course runs 7 hours per day, with time dedicated to both excavation and laboratory work. The course is divided into two halves: the Roman Necropolis Dig and the Prehistoric Cave Dig. The excavation of the Necropolis focuses on funerary structures, specifically inhumations, while the Prehistoric Cave focuses on the spatial distribution of the remains and the objects and grave goods related to funerary rituals. Participants will learn and apply excavation techniques used in physical anthropology when excavating. In the laboratory participants will be instructed by an anthropologist and other specialists in the classification, study, and conservation of human remains and other related materials found. Participants will also be given lectures on methodology, Roman archaeology, physical anthropology and classification of archaeological materials. Participants will visit other archaeological sites on the island through organized excursions. Courses are given in both English and Spanish. For every seven course days there are two days off.

Location: Es Mercadal, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Website: http://www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com

Program Type
Field school

Affiliation: the Sa Nitja Association and Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria

Project Director: Fernando Contreras

Period(s) of Occupation: Prehistoric and Roman

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 20 days

Minimum Age: 18 (contact with questions about age)

Experience Required: no

Room and Board Arrangements

Participants will stay in one of the Ecomuseum's three student residences. All of our residences have heating/air-conditioning, laundry service and wifi. Transportation to and from the excavation site and planned excursions are included. Cost includes full room and board, transportation, accidental medical insurance, planned excursions, application fee and administrative cost. Airfare not included.

Cost: Between $1,500 and $2,500

Academic Credit
Number of credits offered: none

Contact Information
Lana Johnson
APDO 68
Es Mercadal, Menorca 07740
Spain
sanisera@arrakis.es
Phone: (34) 699 69 55 80

The Balkan Heritage Field Schools: Season 2011

2010-11-02T05:27:00.000-07:00

The Balkan Heritage Field School organization will be conducting a series of very exciting field schools and projects in 2011. They are seeking students, volunteers and scholar/professionals to assist and learn in no less than 10 separate projects located in Macedonia and Bulgaria. Here is a listing with brief descriptions:

"FRESCO-HUNTING" PHOTO EXPEDITION TO MEDIEVAL BALKAN CHURCHES

An expedition for documentation of medieval frescoes preserved in abandoned churches and chapels in remote areas of western Bulgaria In 2011. Beside the fieldwork activities, lectures,workshops and trainings in South East European Medieval History, Orthodox iconography, introduction to the Documental Photography and fresco conservation and restoration, graphic documentation (drawn and photographic record) and illustration (both drawing and using graphic software) of architectural features and frescos as well as guided tours to Sofia, Boyana Church and the Rila monastery (UNESCO world heritage sites) will be provided.

Dates: Core Field School Project: May 14 - 28, 2011

Extended Field School Project: May 7 - June 4, 2011

Academic credits available to students: Up to 9

BIRTH OF EUROPE - EXCAVATION OF THE EARLY NEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT AT ILLIDENTSI

Excavations of one of the first Neolithic settlements in Europe (6200 - 5500 B.C.) near Ilidentsi in southwestern Bulgaria.

Dates: June 12 - 25, 2011

Academic credits available to students: 6

WORKSHOP FOR CONSERVATION, RESTORATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ROMAN POTTERY

The workshop will guide the participants through the history and technology of Roman and Late Roman pottery and consequent stages of archaeological conservation, restoration, documentation and study. It will take place in Stobi (the capital of Mecedonia Secunda). Both the theoretical and practical courses will be based on Roman pottery found in the ancient city of Stobi. During the workshop participants will work with authentic Roman shards.

Dates: June 12 - 25, 2011

Academic credits available for students: 6

A BYZANTINE COLD CASE FILE: EARLY CHRISTIAN MONASTERY-STRONGHOLD EXCAVATIONS IN VARNA (ANCIENT ODESSOS)

Excavation of the Early Christian monastery-stronghold in Varna near the Black Sea, Bulgaria.

Two field school sessions are available:

Dates: July 2 - 16, 2011

July 17 - 31, 2011

Academic credits available to students: up to 9

HERACLEA LYNCESTIS EXCAVATIONS

Excavations of the ancient (Hellenistic, Roman, Late Roman) town of Heraclea Lyncestis in Bitola, Macedonia.

Two field sessions are available:

Dates: July 2 - 16, 2011

July 17 - 31, 2011

Academic credits available to students: up to 9

APOLLONIA PONTICA EXCAVATIONS

Excavations at the sacred precinct (temenos) of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia Pontica on St. Kirik Island, Sozopol, Bulgaria. Periods of occupation: Archaic and Classical Greek, Hellenistic, Roman and Early Byzantine (seventh century B.C. to seventh century, A.D.).

Two field school sessions are available:

Dates: August 3 - 17, 2011

August 18 - September 1, 2011

Academic credits available to students: up to 9

STOBI (THE CAPITAL CITY OF MACEDONIA SECUNDA) EXCAVATIONS

Excavations of the ancient (late Hellenistic, Roman, Early Byzantine) city of Stobi, Macedonia.

Three field school sessions are available:

Dates: August 3 - 17, 2011

August 18 - September 1, 2011

September 4 - 18, 2011

Academic credits available to students: up to 12

WORKSHOP FOR RESTORATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ANCIENT GREEK POTTERY

This workshop will guide participants through the history of ancient Greek pottery, its production and consequent stages of archaeological conservation, documentation, study and restoration. It will take place in both Emona and Sozopol (ancient Apollonia Pontica) on the Black Sea Coast, Bulgaria. Both the theoretical and practical courses will be based on ancient Greek pottery found in Sozopol. During the workshop participants will be working with authentic ancient Greek shards.

Dates: September 5 - 18, 2011

Academic credits available to students: 6

WORKSHOP FOR CONSERVATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF LATE ROMAN MURAL PAINTINGS

This workshop will guide the participants through the history, techniques and consequent stages of archaeological study, conservation and documentation of Late Roman/Early Byzantine mural paintings. Both the theoretical and practical courses will be based on authentic wall-painting fragments found in the ancient city of Stobi.

Dates: June 12 - 25, 2011

Academic credits available to students: 6

"FRESCO-HUNTING PHOTO EXPEDITION TO MEDIEVAL BALKAN CHURCHES 2
An expedition for documentation of medieval frescos preserved in medieval churches and chapels of southwestern Macedonia.

Dates: September 4 - 18, 2011

Academic credits available to students: 6

More detailed information about these field schools can be obtained by going to the website for the Balkan Heritage Field School.

Touring Virtually: The Virtual World Project

2010-10-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

A view of ancient Jerash in Jordan, from the Virtual World Project

Looking for a way to tour some fascinating archaeological sites but you're short on time and cash? Here is a viable option developed by Nicolae Roddy and Ronald Simkins of Creighton University: The "Virtual World Project". It is a web-based teaching and study tool that presents interactive virtual reality tours of the ancient world. Updated continuously, it is an ongoing project with a primary focus on the Levant. To date, many important archaeological sites in Israel and Jordan have been extensively photographed and graphically represented to allow the visitor to "walk" through the sites, many of which offer an audio component, as well. The real fun, however, is in the personal control the website user has to explore the area and features of the ancient sites. From a selected start point, you can choose your "walking" direction and pace and control the area of your visual scan. For most of us, for the present, this is as close as we are going to get to these places. Check it out, and happy touring! The Virtual World Project

Uncovering the Secrets of Ancient Bethsaida

2010-09-24T09:32:00.001-07:00

A standing stone and portion of the remains of the
ancient city gate of the capital city of Geshur at Bethsaida

For nearly two thousand years, the ancient biblical city of Bethsaida on the shores of the Sea of Galilee had been lost to humanity and was assumed by many to be a myth. Here, according to the New Testament of the Bible, the Apostles of Jesus, Peter, Andrew, and Phillip, were born. Here too, Jesus performed some of his miracles, including healing of a blind man, the feeding of the multitudes, and walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee. And here too, Phillip, the son of Herod the Great, upgraded the city to the status of a Greek city, where he was subsequently buried after his death. It was not until 1987, through the pioneering work of the Israeli archaeologist, Dr. Rami Arav, that the location of Bethsaida was finally revealed. Scientific investigations and excavations have been conducted at the site since 1990 through a consortium of universities. Perhaps the most notable discovery at Bethsaida, in addition to the remains of the Hellenistic-Roman city known by Jesus, are the remains of an ancient Iron Age city dated to the period of ancient Israel's United Monarchy, the time of kings David and Solomon. At that time, according to scholarly interpretation, the city served as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Geshur. It is thought that it was this location that King David visited and where he subsequently married Ma'achah, the daughter of the King of Geshur.

Join the Team!

Interested in becoming a part of this exciting expedition? Go to Bethsaida Today for more detailed information.

One more fascinating note about Bethsaida: The tomb of Herod Phillip has yet to be discovered!

Investigating Food and Drink in Ancient Pompeii

2010-09-23T13:49:00.000-07:00

Most everyone has heard or read of the cataclysmic 79 A.D. volcanic destruction of ancient Pompeii. Because of the unique preservative effects of it's horrific burial, that ill-fated city has left a legacy of a civilization frozen in time, revealing structures, artifacts, human remains, and infrastructure features equaled in detail by few other ancient sites. Perhaps no other site has been documented as prolifically as this one. As much as we already know about Pompeii, however, there is still much more to discover, many questions left to be answered. The daily life-ways and styles of this ancient people continue to be a subject of intense scrutiny. During the summer of 2011, a team of scholars, students and volunteers will contribute to this undertaking by conducting a detailed investigation of selected areas, features and structures with an eye toward shedding light on where, how, why, when and what these ancient Romans ate and drank. They will measure, photograph, record, draw, and analyze. The investigation will be totally non-intrusive. No excavation will be conducted. The objective of these investigations will be to acquire new insights on city planning and the development of healthy and sustainable urban environments for the future.

Joining the Team

Activities will be organized into three one-week sessions from June 19 to July 9, 2011. Generally, volunteers and students may participate in one, two, or all three sessions. Participants will stay in a small, family-run hotel with air-conditioned rooms, eating facilities, and a swimming pool. As part of the experience, participants will attend a series of lectures about the history and geography of Pompeii, as well as a guided walk of the city. A series of other lectures will be offered during the mornings and evenings on a host of other topics related to the culture, finds, and other subject areas. Each week the group will be taken to the Antiquarium di Boscoreale, a museum exhibiting the artifacts of Pompeii. Most importantly, team participants will be instructed in all methods and skills needed to conduct the vital data collection that will take place during the expedition.

This project will afford an excellent opportunity for student and volunteer alike to acquire new skills and an intense education in ancient Roman life and archaeology. If interested, see the website for detailed information about the expedition and how to apply.

Digging the Minoans

2010-09-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

The island of Crete is perhaps best known, archaeologically speaking, for its ancient Bronze Age Minoan sites such as Knossos, where the remains of the capital city of the fabled King Minos still stand in ruins. The Minoans are thought to be the Aegean forerunners of the Greek civilization, and work continues on the island to uncover what remains of the great civilization they built. Enter Gournia, a settlement that has seen archaeological excavation and study in the past, but re-emerges with renewed excavations that began in the summer of 2010. For the next two years, excavations will continue under the auspices of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and the University at Buffalo, New York. Gournia proves to be a prime example of how the ancient Minoans typically lived their lives and further investigation promises to shed more light on the life-ways of this ancient people -- mariners, agriculturalists and tradesmen who conducted commerce with the ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians and, for centuries, ruled as the number one Mediterranean power. Excavations begin June 18, 2011 and continue through July 31. They are currently seeking students and volunteers for a six week commitment, with the option of college credit for field school participation. Participants will be lodged in the nearby coastal town of Pacheia Ammos and will have access to tavernas and cafes and a bus line that serves all parts of Crete. More details and the application process can be obtained by writing to watrous@buffalo.edu.

Lost Civilizations of North America

2010-08-27T05:49:00.000-07:00

When one thinks of advanced ancient civilizations in America, names such as "Maya", "Aztec" and "Inca" immediately come to mind. Few, other than knowledgeable archaeologists or historians, would include words like "Anasazi" or "Hopewell". Yet it is true that, north of the border between Mexico and the United States, lie the ruins of ancient civilizations that easily rival and in some ways even surpass the cultural brilliance we so often associate with their better known counterparts to the south. This point is convincingly made in the recently released documentary entitled "The Lost Civilizations of North America". Through an exploration of the architectural and artifact remains from sites such as Cahokia as well as an engaging series of interviews with prominent scholars in the field, this documentary expounds on the salient cultural remains (some not without controversy) that underpin the various schools of thought about the origins, development and achievements of these lesser known ancient civilizations. What sets this production apart from perhaps any other is its treatment of the development of the applicable theories of cultural evolution and how these theories fed into historical national policies toward Native Americans, Manifest Destiny, and the resultant "wanton destruction" of their cultural remains. Whether one agrees or not with the facts and points advanced, the film is a refreshing and intellectually expansive experience for those of us who are willing to think a little beyond the generally accepted paradigms about North American anthropology, archaeology, and history. Anyone interested in viewing the full documentary (63 minutes) may acquire it at www.LostCivilizationDVD.com.

Documentary Trailer

Live From The Field: Smithsonian Team Involves the Public in Real Time

2010-08-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

The Smithsonian Human Origins Program Base Camp at Olorgesailie, Kenya
Photo courtesy the Human Origins Program

It is not often that we find working scientists, in the midst of their fieldwork, willing to expend the effort and time to draw the general public into their domains as their work unfolds upon the scene. This can be said to some degree for scholars and excavation directors who, while busy at work on their excavation sites, will take the time to address crowds of tourists and visitors at historically significant locations and inform them about their projects and the latest finds. Rarer still is the occasion where the public is given the opportunity for live visual and audio contact with key scientists at an important site thousands of miles away, where discoveries are being made that will help "write the books" about their subjects. A Smithsonian Institution team of scientists at the famous site of Olorgesailie, Kenya, have done just that for the first time on August 2, 2010. With a little help from ground technology and a satellite, a Smithsonian staff "transported" a Washington, D.C. group of interested public participants into the African field location, briefly oriented them about the site, showed them some representative finds, and entertained a series of questions from the live audience. Thanks to the outreach of Dr.'s Briana Pobiner and Alison Brooks, who conducted the session from the African location, that public audience walked away from the session enriched with a better understanding and appreciation for what was going on at the remote location and it's significance to the field of human origins research. They learned, for example, that in addition to the well-known discoveries already made there about hominids who lived there more than 600,000 years ago, work in the area has recently revealed evidence of a later human presence (around 300,000 years ago) with more evolved tool-making skills, made from materials that had to be obtained from more distant locations. This implies a social capability for developing a network of contacts to make this possible. One does not read as much about this in the easily available public literature, but this group got the scoop first hand, straight from the scientists themselves, almost as if they were standing before them in a room. There were a few technical glitches, to be sure, given that this was a first attempt (such as audio clarity being obstructed by the affect of the stiff African breeze at the remote site on the equipment there), but this somehow bestowed a sense of reality to the event that one could not get by reading a dispatch or an article.

Program planners hope to do this again. I, for one, give them my vote.

More information about the scientists and the Human Origins Program at the Smithsonian Institution can be obtained by going to http://humanorigins.si.edu.

Leisure Travel and Archaeology

2010-06-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in leisure travel on a dime to countries or locations where you can take in the great archaeological sites they have to offer? A new vacation/travel club, known now in the travel industry as Club Sea Breeze, boasts a huge inventory of luxury resorts in countries all over the world, including those bristling with the great archaeological and historical sites everyone wants to see "before they die". Here is a sampling of typical prices for luxury accommodations (they apply to THE ENTIRE WEEK):

Crete -- $399

Italy -- $399

Egypt -- $399

Mexico -- $299

U.S. (Virginia-Williamsburg) -- $399

Additionally, this club offers its members a special travel portal where they can book airfare, hotel, car rental, and vacation packages at specially discounted rates, along with 50% of the company's commissions on bookings as cash back to the members for each booking.

I am drooling over an impressive all-inclusive one-week luxury resort package at Cancun, for example, for $299, and I plan to take excursions from there to the nearby ancient Maya archaeological sites at Chichen Itza and Tulum. The following year, Zahabia Resort on the Red Sea in Egypt for $399 (2 bedrooms, sleeping 6), where I will snorkel and take a glass bottom boat ride to see the spectacular coral reefs there and then take a little trip over to ancient Luxor and the Valley of the Kings.

But here is what distinguishes this club from the crowd: When you share this with others and they join, you can earn a very significant income that you can apply to your other vacation expenses, your dig fees if you want to participate as a dig volunteer or student on a dig, or any other expenses or savings. The club compensation plan uses a unique, patent pending system and technology that bestows benefits on its membership that is not duplicated anywhere in the industry.

For more information, go to Club Seabreeze.

Archaeological Tours

2010-06-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

Not interested in digging right now, but you enjoy things archaeological? Here are some sources for great archaeological travel tours:

1. Archaeological Institute of America Tours
2. Archaeological Tours
3. Explorations
4. Mayatour
5. Far Horizons
6. iExplore
7. Chevvy Tours LLC
8. Gecko's Grassroots Adventures
9.Geographic Expeditions
10.Peter Sommer Travels
11.Beyond Touring
12.Tutku Tours
13.Voyages to Antiquity
14.The Archaeological Conservancy

Special Featured Tours:

Peter Sommer Travels: Exploring Ancient Turkey by Land and Sea
Beyond Touring: Touring with a Purpose in Belize

Excavating Tall el Hammam 2010/2011

2010-06-12T20:31:00.001-07:00

Approximately 14 kilometers northeast of the Dead Sea, in the southern Jordan River Valley, lies a very large, imposing tall (mound). Surveys and recent excavations have revealed that the tall consists of a long history of human occupation dating back from Islamic through to the Neolithic period. Sometimes referred to as the "Queen of the Southern Jordan Valley", it is the largest of a group of ancient sites that collectively dot this fertile, agriculturally developed valley. Located astride ancient trade routes and water sources, along with a commanding view of the area identified by a number of scholars as the Jordan Plain, it is no wonder that the site evidences remains of a major ancient city. Archaeological investigations have shown that the site is outlined by a 4-meter thick wall dating originally to the Early Bronze Age, with mudbrick and packed-earth ramparts, including, on the top of the tall, monumental ruins of the Iron Age II and III periods that are also surrounded by 3-meter-thick city walls.

An intriguing possibility highlights the fascination surrounding the excavations of this site: One may recall the Old Testament story that comes to mind about Lot and the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Their actual locations on the archaeological landscape have long been the subject of scholarly debate. Some scholars are suggesting that the textual and archaeological evidence may indeed support the hypothesis that the remains of Tall el Hammam represent the remnants of the ancient city of Sodom. Time and further research and excavation may shed more light. Whether the emerging evidence points for or against, however, is an aside to the valuable information that will be collected from this site about the role and influence of this major ancient city on the surrounding socio-economic and cultural environment, and the lifeways of the people who inhabited this location for thousands of years.

The fifth season of excavations will run from December 10, 2010 through January 20, 2011. The Tall el Hammam Excavation Project is inviting volunteers to join the team this winter to uncover more of the mysteries that lie beneath. Besides the excavation itself, this dig promises daytime temperatures ranging from 50 to 75 degrees, making the air clearer and cleaner than at any other time of the year (not to mention great working temperature), along with accommodations at a fabulous resort and spa near the shores of the Dead Sea. These excavators are pampered for their hard work! You can read more about this fascinating project and how to join by going to the website here.

Saving the Stones

2010-06-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

Hand in hand with archaeological excavations, the element of conservation plays an essential role in reconstructing our past through material remains. The IAA's (Israel Antiquities Authority) International Conservation Center's Saving the Stones program represents one of the best learning laboratories for future conservators and archaeologists in this area. Designed as a 5-month internship for serious students of archaeology, conservation and related subjects, this opportunity offers both theoretical and practical hands-on experience in the study and conservation of archaeological sites. Students will learn about surveying and documenting ongoing conservation projects, as well as the principles and techniques of architectural conservation drawing, photography and related computer skills. Students will also learn about ancient building techniques and materials and will work alongside leading conservationists and archaeologists. Workshops and practical work activities will be supplemented with lectures and study tours throughout the internship.

The home context of the internship is in the ancient city of Old Acre, a renowned World Heritage site and one of the most picturesque locations in Israel and the Near East.

Interested? You can obtain more information at www.antiquities.org.il/akko.

Excavating the Ancient City of Stobi

2010-03-29T12:31:00.000-07:00

For more than a century the ancient city of Stobi - the capital of Macedonia Secunda - has been attracting scientists from all over the world to reveal its secrets. The first historiography records that mention Stobi are provided by the Roman historian Titus Livy, and concern the victory of the Macedonian king Philip V over Dardanians in the vicinity of Stobi. In A.D. 69 Emperor Vespasian granted Stobi the rank of municipium and the right to mint its own coins. The salt trading and the good strategic position between two rivers, on the cross-road of Via Axia and branches of Via Diagonalis and Via Egnatia, brought to the city a long-lasting prosperity from the first to third century A.D. In 267/69 Stobi suffered from raids of Goths and Herules, but was rebuilt after their devastating attacks. In the fourth century A.D., the city became the seat of mighty bishops, and in the fifth century – the capital city of Macedonia Secunda. It was devastated several times by the raids of "Barbars", but an earthquake in A.D. 518 marked the end of the urban living in Stobi.

Season 2010 envisions excavations will take place in three sectors: the Theater (built in the second century A.D.), the Western Necropolis (first century B.C. - fourth century A.D.) and an ancient Roman temple. Two field school sessions are available in 2010. The program includes the following modules: fieldwork; educational course (lectures, workshops and field training in Early and Late Roman Archaeology), and excursions to the old towns of Prilep and Bitola, the archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis as well as to Ohrid (UNESCO World Heritage Site). All participants will receive a BH Field School Certificate of Attendance.

Detailed information about this project is available at: http://www.bhfieldschool.org/bh2010stobi.html

Online application form: http://www.bhfieldschool.org/apply.php

Periods of occupation: Late Hellenistic, Roman, Early Byzantine Second century B.C. – Sixth century A.D.)

Location: Macedonia

Session dates: Session 1: August 7-21, 2010; Session 2: August 22 - September 5, 2010

Workshop on Ancient Greek Pottery

2010-03-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

The WORKSHOP FOR RESTORATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ANCIENT GREEK POTTERY will guide participants through the history of Ancient Greek pottery, its production and consequent stages of archaeological conservation, documentation, study, and restoration. Both the theoretical and practical courses will be based on artifacts found in the ancient Greek city of Apollonia Pontica on the Black Sea. The project in 2010 will include three modules: practical work in documentation and restoration of ancient Greek pottery; educational course (lectures, trainings, study - and behind-the-scenes visits) and excursions to the ancient coastal towns of Nessebar (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Sozopol as well as the city of Varna (including visits to the archaeological museums in Sozopol, Nessebar, Varna and a contemporary pottery workshop). By the end of the workshop the participants will: know basic methods of how to document and restore ancient pottery; develop basic/further practical skills (depending on participant’s initial level of qualification) in ancient pottery restoration and graphics; reproduction of ancient pottery shards/vessels; deepen their knowledge through first-hand experience on Ancient Mediterranean/European History and Archaeology; meet professionals who work in the areas of Classical Archaeology and/or pottery restoration and documentation. All participants will receive the Balkan Heritage Field School Certificate of Attendance.

Detailed information about this project is available at: http://www.bhfieldschool.org/bh2007apdr.html

Online application form: http://www.bhfieldschool.org/apply.php

Periods of occupation: Antiquity: Ancient Greek and Hellenistic (Seventh - First century B.C.)

Location: Southern Bulgarian Black sea coast, Bulgaria

Season dates: September 06, 2010 - September 19, 2010

Early Christian Monastery Excavations in Varna

2010-03-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

100 years ago, the Bulgarian archaeologist Karel Schkorpil began excavating the early Christian church of the 6th century on the Djanavara hill in Varna (ancient Odessos). The Byzantine-era building was decorated with distinctive marble revetments, colorful mosaics, and its crypt contained three precious reliquaries made of gold, silver and marble. Unfortunately, nearly all documentation of Schkorpil’s excavation was lost while being transported to the U.S. for publication. Since 2007, the archaeologists have returned to the site to try to answer some lingering questions. Was the church a part of a larger monastic compound? What was the role of this structure for the early Christian community at Odessos? In addition to helping answer these questions, dig participants will attend regular lectures and workshops on archaeological methods and Byzantine archaeology and excursions to Black sea beaches and resorts, Madara (UNESCO World Heritage Site), stone forest rocks and Roman mosaics museum in Marcianopolis. All participants will receive a Balkan Heritage Field School Certificate of Attendance, specifying fieldwork hours, educational modules, and sites visited.

Field school follow-up excursion (3 days): to Istanbul (Turkey) for only 99 EUR.

Detailed information about this project is available at: http://www.bhfieldschool.org/bh2007varexc09.html

Online application form: http://www.bhfieldschool.org/apply.php

Location: Western Black Sea Coast, Bulgaria

Session dates: Session 1: July 3- 17, 2010; Session 2: July 18- August 1, 2010

The Heraclea Lyncestis Excavation Project

2010-03-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

According to the Athenian orator and lawyer Demosthenes, Heraclea was founded by Philip II (the father of Alexander the Great), as a strategic center of the north-western Macedonian province of Lyncestis. Heraclea was named in honor of Heracles (Hercules), the claimed progenitor of the ruling Macedonian dynasty which Philip belonged to. The epithet “Lyncestis” means “the Land of the Lynx” in Greek. Nowadays the ruins of the ancient city lie at the western side of modern town of Bitola. During the last half century archaeologists have uncovered and restored significant monuments of antiquity (the Forum, Theater, and early Christian basilicas and residential buildings, many of them decorated with polychrome mosaics). Season 2010 envisions excavations in two sectors: the acropolis or the area across the river (presumably Hellenistic and Early Roman), and the area around the Theater (Roman and Late Roman).

Two field school sessions are available in 2010. The program includes three modules: fieldwork; educational course (lectures, workshops and field trainings), and excursions to the UNESCO heritage town and lake of Ohrid as well as the ancient city of Stobi. Field school participants will work on random excavation sectors with the possibility to shift to another sector. Participants who join both project sessions will have different schedules during the second session - the activities in the afternoons will include: Workshop in mosaic-making, field surveys, finds processing and documentation; excursions to Pelister National Park and local monasteries will replace the standard excursions in the second session. All participants will receive a Balkan Heritage Field School Certificate of Attendance specifying fieldwork hours, educational modules and sights visited.

Detailed information about this project is available at: http://www.bhfieldschool.org/bh2007.hlexc.html

The online application form is at: http://www.bhfieldschool.org/apply.php

Periods of occupation: Hellenistic, Roman, Late Roman (Fourth century B.C. – Sixth century A.D.)

Location: Pelagonia, Macedonia

Session dates: First session: July 3-17, 2010; Second session: July 18- August 1, 2010

New Smithsonian Exhibit a Big Hit

2010-03-20T07:06:00.000-07:00

Few would argue with the fact that most people who walk away from a long visit at any of the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., would be very favorably impressed with what they experienced. The same could be said of the Smithsonian's newest addition to its permanent exhibition spaces -- the David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins. Tucked artfully within the monumental walls of the Smithsonian's ever popular National Museum of Natural History, this exhibit presents some of the evidence that underpins the scientific explanation for how we, humans, evolved over time, focusing much of the discussion on how the earth's changing environments have played a salient role in the process. What makes this exhibit different than most museum presentations on the subject, however, is not the thematic focus, but how it is presented to the visiting public. After walking through a "time tunnel" entrance displaying the morphological milestones of human evolution, one walks into a spacious array of interactive stations designed to engage the visitor more directly in the learning process. Feel the sharp edge of a stone hand ax (cast) dated to over a million years ago. Do you see why it would be a useful tool? View a cast of a fossilized footprint made over 3 million years ago. It looks human, but you don't know for sure. The question below it on a wooden panel reads, "what made this footprint?" You lift the panel to see the answer inside -- "Australopithecus Afarensis" (an ancient hominid, or human predecessor, that lived over 3 million years ago in Africa). Would you like to see what you would look like as a Neanderthal person, a human species that inhabited Europe and Asia over 30,000 years ago? Then sit and interact with the face morphing station and watch yourself transform.

Not all of the fossilized bones and artifacts are casts. You can view an almost complete Neanderthal skeleton carefully preserved within a climate-controlled space. Currently on loan to the U.S., it was originally excavated at Shanidar Cave in current-day Iraq. Besides fossils and fossil casts like this, you can also view lifelike reconstructions of the faces of five different early species of humans, as well as beautifully sculpted life-sized bronze representations of early humans masterfully created by artist/sculptor John Gurche.

Going to Washington, D.C. for a vacation or just passing through? This would be a must-see for those interested in the distant human past; however, if it isn't in the cards for you at any time in the near future, you can still learn about it and much more on the topic of human evolution at Smithsonian's new website at http://humanorigins.si.edu. Either way, it is an adventure in learning.

Photo Credits: Chip Clark, Jim DiLoreto and Don Hurlbert, Smithsonian Institution

Blue Creek: Excavating an Upscale Community

2010-03-13T07:13:00.000-08:00

When we think of the ancient Maya civilization, the monumental centers of Tikal, Palenque, Chichen Itza, and Copan usually come to mind. These, however, are only a few of the countless ancient sites, many of which, though known to exist, still lie unexcavated and unexplored. Still others are yet undiscovered, and their number is still a mystery. The jungle shrouds their secrets. The archaeologists who uncover and investigate these sites have many years of work ahead them before a complete picture of the Maya civilization, and how it mysteriously and suddenly declined, emerges.

Blue Creek

A comparatively small site in northwestern Belize promises to add an important chapter to the story. It will help answer questions about how a medium-sized community of approximately 20,000 people managed to support an unusually wealthy class of residents and a large public precinct surrounded by numerous, well-defined residential structures and agricultural components. Known as Blue Creek, scientists at this site have uncovered a large number of exotic goods, unusual for a community of this size. It is thought that its strategic location, in combination with the techniques the ancient inhabitants employed in agricultural production, defined the foundation for its wealth.

The Project

Dr. Thomas Guderjan of the Maya Research Program is leading a team of archaeologists and other professional staff to find answers to the questions surrounding the site. In 2010, the team will be returning to continue excavations in an elite residential area of Blue Creek, and in the agricultural field systems surrounding the site, including other nearby centers. They are calling for students and volunteers to join them for their 2010 season, which begins May 24 and runs through July 25.

The Field School

Participants will receive training in field and laboratory techniques as well as receive a "crash course" on the Maya and archaeological methodology. Accommodation is at the Blue Creek research station, which has 35 small residential cabanas, a 1500 square foot laboratory building, a main building with a dining hall, and men's and women's restrooms and showers. All meals, equipment and supplies are provided. There will be four two-week sessions. Participants are welcome to join any or all of them. A particularly noteworthy aspect of this opportunity involves the offering of 10 Welker Scholarships, funded by income from the Welker Endowment and a generous donation by Mr. Jack Thompson. The intent of the Scholarships is to encourage talented young undergraduate and graduate students to participate in the project and to pursue archaeology or related fields. Moreover, these students will be afforded greater responsibilities than other participants during the fieldwork.

Join the Team

For the student or enthusiast of Maya archaeology, the Blue Creek experience represents one of the best field school opportunities available for this region of the world. If you are interested in becoming a part of it, you can find out more by going to www.mayaresearchprogram.org or by emailing Dr. Guderjan at guderjan@gmail.com. The project staff has prepared an excellent, detailed Participant Guide that will tell you just about everything you would want to know as a Project student or volunteer. The Guide can be accessed at the website.

The Madison Legacy From the Ground Down

2010-02-26T07:48:00.000-08:00

JOIN THE TEAM!

The Archaeology Department is currently seeking volunteers who would be interested in becoming an integral part of the research team. The season will be divided into nine 1-week programs or sessions (called expeditions), beginning March 27 and ending October 29. With a staff of 8 archaeologists, volunteers will enjoy significant personal interaction with the research team professionals, who will walk the volunteers step-by-step through the entire excavation process, including lab work. The experience includes lectures and tours of various archaeological sites on the property, including the mansion house. For a tax deductible fee of $650, participants will get all of the above for each 1-week expedition, including two group dinners and lodging at the Arlington House, a historic antebellum home located on the estate's historic grounds. All in all, this program ranks among the best for those interested in a practical, hands-on introduction to American historical archaeology. More detailed information about the research, opportunity, and application procedure can be found on the website at www.montpelier.org/archaeologyprograms . For general information about James Madison, Dolley Madison, Montpelier, and the archaeology program, go to www.montpelier.org.

Digging Jamestown

2010-02-25T09:18:00.000-08:00

For many years it was assumed by scholars that the original James Fort constructed by English colonists in 1607 at the site of Jamestown, Virginia (the first permanent English colony in America) had long been claimed for oblivion by the waters of the nearby James River; however, since 1994, the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, in conjunction with the University of Virginia, has conducted excavations that have revealed thousands of artifacts and soil features clearly identified with the Fort. Thus far, these excavations have uncovered most of the palisade wall lines, bulwarks, cellars, and buildings that were all part of the original James Fort configuration. This is the "glamour dig" of American historical archaeology. It is meticulously executed, well managed, and extremely well documented and published. An ongoing account of the discoveries can be found by going to the website.

You can also apply to be part of this investigation. Dr. William Kelso of the University of Virginia leads a formal field school during the summer of 2010. The field school is designed to teach theory and methods of field work in American Historical Archaeology. Students will learn how to investigate the features related to James Fort and to identify and interpret 17th century European and Native American artifacts. In addition, upon successful completion of the program, students will receive six (6) graduate credits in Anthropology from the University of Virginia. You should know that this would involve a six-week commitment, provided your application is accepted......and if it isn't in the cards for you now, it might be worth keeping it in mind for the future. For more detailed information about the field school and the application requirements, go to www.apva.org/fldschl.html.

Uncovering the Mysteries of Khirbet Qeiyafa

2010-02-03T15:36:00.000-08:00

Anyone following major archaeological discoveries in Israel will recall the pottery shard whereon was found five lines of what may be the oldest Hebrew script ever discovered. The find was uncovered at a hitherto unknown archaeological site known as Khirbet Qeiyafa. Despite its mystery, it is emerging as one of the most important archaeological excavations in Israel, revealing an ancient city that may tell a new story about life during the times of ancient Israel's best known kings. Add to this its massive fortifications and its strategic location between Jerusalem and ancient Israel's coastal plain on the main road from ancient Philistia, and we have a site that promises to add much to our understanding of Iron Age Judah. It is in this area that the famous battle between David and Goliath may have taken place.

During previous excavations, an early Iron Age II stratum was uncovered, including a massive casemate wall and two residential buildings. Radiometric dating places this stratum in the years 1,000 - 975 B.C., the time of King David. This makes it the only site in Judah that can be securely dated to the time of King David. The 2010 Season will continue to focus on the site's fortifications.

Students and volunteers will have the opportunity to participate and help make a difference in this effort to answer important questions about this significant location. If you are interested in joining the team this summer, go to qeiyafa.huji.ac.il to learn more about how to apply. You may also find additional information about the project at Foundation Stone's site at www.elahfortress.com.

Wenas Creek: Life in 16,000 B.P.

2010-01-16T20:49:00.000-08:00

If you were to walk along the terrain near the small town of Selah, Washington, you would see a hilly, desert-like landscape, reflecting the dry climate that is characteristic of the eastern half of this Pacific Northwest state; however, during Pleistocene times (1.8 million to 10,000 years B.P.), you would see a wetter, cooler landscape, consisting of a greater abundance of vegetation, water sources, and fauna long ago extinct. Mammoths roamed this ancient ecosystem. Isolated examples of their bones have been found scattered across this, the Columbian Plateau area. Rare, however, is the instance where an assemblage of associated bones from a single specimen can be found in one location. Such a site is the subject of ongoing investigations being conducted by a research team under the direction of Dr. Patrick Lubinski of Central Washington University. Known as the Wenas Creek Mammoth site, it has thus far revealed hundreds of bone elements, including nearly complete mammoth leg bones, vertebrae, toe bones and shoulder blade, as well as the remains of bison, dated to approximately 16,000 years B.P. Additional bones remain partially exposed from the 2009 excavations and are awaiting removal in 2010. Equally intriguing, human artifacts (cryptocrystalline flakes) were discovered in proximity to, and 15 centimeters above, a mammoth bone, suggesting a human presence at the site. Were there humans in the midst of these ancient creatures as early as 16,000 years ago? More work needs to be done to answer that question. The goals of the project are to recover additional mammoth remains and associated fauna and paleo-environmental data, and to place these into the geological context. Additionally, it is hoped that the research will reveal the taphonomic relationships between the finds, as well as more evidence of human presence.

Individuals interested in being a part of this exciting work of discovery will have the opportunity to participate either as field school students or in other volunteer capacities, learning the tools and techniques common to BOTH paleontology and archaeology. The Wenas Creek Mammoth Project Field School will be conducted during the summer of 2010 and will offer a full agenda of practical learning experiences.

The Field School

The Field School is open to anyone eligible to register for college credits (college students or not) and may be audited by those not wanting college credit. There are no prerequisites, but some background in archaeology, geography and/or geology is strongly encouraged. For the first week (beginning June 21), students will be training with lecture, lab studies, field trips, and perhaps hikes. They will acquire some background in archaeological field methods, sediments, mammoths, maps, and the regional environment. The first day will be entirely on campus, but they may be in the field or on campus thereafter. Primary field tasks will be recovery of mammoth bones and any artifacts, and collection of stratigraphic and geomorphic information to place the finds into context. To do this, a number of 2 x 2 m units will be excavated, mapping all encountered bone and artifacts with a total station theodolite. Students may use shovels, wheelbarrows, trowels, brushes, and/or fine bamboo skewers for excavation, and shake the recovered material through 1/8" screens. As bone is recovered, the team will make use of a consolidant to stabilize fragments and prevent them from disintegrating. As they excavate the 2 x 2 m units, they will also carefully record the stratigraphy of each, and link this to the already-described stratigraphy of the backhoe trench excavated in 2005. Ultimately, the recovered bones will be linked to the stratigraphy and associated geomorphology of the site. Students may also gain experience with pedestrian archaeology. As part of an exchange program, they may spend up to a week on a survey crew working through central Washington. This exchange is with a parallel CWU archaeology summer field school under the direction of Dr. Steve Hackenberger. Transportation is provided. Students may choose their level of participation in this exchange, up to five days. Additionally, participants will also take several field trips elsewhere, such as the Yakima Valley Museum in Yakima and the Qwu?gwes "wetsite" archaeological excavation in Olympia.

Join the Team!

If you are interested in learning more about how to join this effort, go to the website at www.cwu.edu/~mammoth.html for more detailed information about the project and how to apply. Not interested or ready for the full Field School experience? You can volunteer to participate and get a taste of the action by registering for their ongoing volunteer program. Information about this program can also be found at the website.

Excavate a Roman City and Necropolis!

2010-01-08T09:36:00.001-08:00

The Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria on the beautiful island of Menorca, Spain, is offering the opportunity for students and volunteers to excavate a Roman city and its associated necropolis together in one field experience from March 29 to October 31, 2010. The field season will be divided into a number of three-week sessions from which participants may choose. This particular opportunity will allow the participant the option to work half of the time among the urban remains of the Roman settlement, and half of the time in the necropolis, excavating and investigating tombs and their human remains. See the more detailed postings below for information about the options of participating in the excavations at the city or the necropolis separately. You may also go to www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com for more information about these exciting opportunities.

Underwater Archaeology in the Mediterranean

2010-01-08T09:26:00.000-08:00

When most of us think about archaeology, we imagine digging on dry land through layers of soil and stone under a variety of weather conditions. But much of our history can be learned by exploring what humanity has left beneath the surface of oceans and lakes. A wealth of information still lies waiting to be recovered underwater.

In 2010, the Ecomuseum of the Cape Cavalleria will be exploring the Roman port of Sanitja and the coast of the Cape of Cavalleria, identifying structures of the Roman city of Sanisera (a part of present-day Spain) as well as shipwrecks. The port of Sanitja was not only occupied by the Romans. There are also ruins on land of a Muslim mosque and English defense tower which suggests that underwater evidence from these periods will be found, as well.

The course is designed to provide practical experience in underwater archaeological field work, from site discovery to lab analysis. Participants will gain experience in various activities such as surveying methods, site reconnaissance, recording, drawing, mapping, position fixing, photography, and laboratory processing. Students will also attend lectures on Roman archaeology. The course runs six hours a day, six days a week. The day will be divided between diving in the port of Sanijta, lab work, exercises, lectures, videos and excursions. The course schedule is designed to be flexible because this program is dependent on weather and conditions at sea.

In addition to daily research activities, participants will learn about the history and culture of Menorca through organized excursions. The course is taught in English and Spanish.

Participants will be able to choose between Group 1: No open water diving certificate, or Group 2: Possession of an open water diving certificate from an internationally recognized organization.

This is a perfect opportunity for those interested in developing a career in underwater archaeology, or for those simply interested in a unique educational adventure that can be found through relatively few other venues. Find out more about the project and how to join by going to www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com.

Meeting Romans Up Close and Personal

2010-01-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

Are you interested in excavating ancient human remains? Understanding our past is not complete without a direct examination of the actual people who created it. Here is a chance to literally meet some Romans up close and personal.

In 2010, a research team of scientists and student volunteers will be excavating a cluster of Roman tombs belonging to a cemetery located on the outskirts of the Roman city of Sanisera that was occupied from 123 B.C. to A.D. 550. The excavation is directed by Fernando Contreras, director of the Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria, and Thaïs Fadrique with the collaboration of specialists in physical anthropology and conservation.

The course runs seven hours a day which is divided between excavation of the tombs and laboratory work; studying and conservation of the human remains and other materials recovered during the excavation (The amount of time dedicated to lab work may vary each session depending on the state of the tombs excavated). Students will also participate in lectures, classes, exercises and excursion.

Participants will learn and apply excavation techniques used in physical anthropology when excavating tombs. In the laboratory, participants will follow guidelines set by an anthropologist and other specialists for the classification, study, and conservation of human remains and other related material found. Participants will also be given lectures on methodology, roman archaeology, physical anthropology, and conservation of archaeological materials. Participants will visit other archaeological sites on the island through organized excursions. Academic courses will be offered in both English and Spanish.

If you're interested in joining the team, go to www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com to find out more. You may be surprised about how much can be learned about ancient lives by just studying their bones and how they were buried!

Investigating the Roman City at Sanisera

2010-01-08T09:13:00.000-08:00

As early as 123 B.C., the Roman army had reached and conquered Menorca of the Balearic Mediterranean islands. Now a part of Spain, Menorca became at that time a part of the vast Roman empire. It was ruled by Rome for at least 600 years. On one of those islands, they had established three cities, one of which is known today as Sanisera. Built around the port of Sanitja, it flourished as a commercial maritime center, receiving ships traveling from present-day Spain to Italy and from present-day France to Africa. The impressiveness of Sanisera can be appreciated in the present by the quantity and quality of the amphoras and other roman artifacts that have been found in recent excavations. Sanisera is situated in a spectacular natural reserve next to the Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria, which, along with the Sanitja Association, is sponsoring archaeological excavations at the ancient site.

Under the direction of Director Fernando Contreras, a team of archaeologists, students and volunteers with be conducting systematic excavation and research at the site from March 29 to October 31, 2010 to uncover more of what made this city such an important Roman settlement and center of maritime activity. Students will learn and gain experience in excavation using the Harris Matrix. Various instruments and tools will be used to record stratigraphy and document the plans and photographs of the excavation. In the museum laboratory, students will study excavated material and learn basic techniques of artifact recording, focusing on Roman pottery. In addition to the daily excavation and laboratory work, students will also participate in conferences on methodology and Roman archaeology, and will visit other museums and archaeological sites on the island. Academic courses will be offered in both English and Spanish.

If you are interested in expanding your mind and learning some first-hand field archaeology in a Mediterranean setting in 2010, you are invited to join the team by going to the website at www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com to learn more about the project and the application procedures. Who knows? This could be a life-changing experience!

Uncovering the Glories of Hippos

2010-01-07T06:01:00.000-08:00

The relatively small area of this little city detracts nothing from the impressive architectural remains one beholds as the casual observer traverses its ancient streets. "Monumental" is the best word that comes to mind when describing this fortified Hellenistic-Roman style space and its commanding view of the surrounding countryside.

Known as the ancient city of Hippos-Sussita, it is located on the east shore of the Sea of Galilee, on top of a flat, diamond shaped mountain, 350 m above the lake. Sussita, or as it was known by its Greek name, Antiochia-Hippos, was founded after 200 BC, when the Seleucids seized the Land of Israel from the Ptolemies. During the Roman Period Hippos belonged to the Decapolis, a group of ten cities which were regarded as centers of Greek culture in an area predominantly populated by Semitic peoples such as Jews, Aramaeans, Ituraeans, and Nabataeans.The cities of the Decapolis had much in common. Most were founded during the Hellenistic period and were given the encouragement and support of the Seleucid kings, who saw them as a counterweight to the kingdoms that lay to the west (the Hasmonaean Kingdom of Judaea) and to the east (the Nabataean kingdom). Most of the population in the cities was Hellenised and the citizens saw themselves as citizens of a polis in every respect.

The Project

The research of Hippos-Sussita is an international Israeli-Polish-American project collaboration co-directed by: Professors Arthur Segal and Michael Eisenberg from the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa; Professor Jolanta Mlynarczyk from the Research Centre for Mediterranean Archaeology, Polish Academy of Sciences; Dr. Mariusz Burdajewicz of the National Museum, Warsaw; and Professor Mark Schuler from Concordia University, St Paul, USA. The objective of the expedition is to uncover the entire ancient city, the street network, the main public secular and religious buildings, as well as the domestic quarters. The expedition also hopes to survey and excavate the two necropoleis located to the south and south-east of the city. The relationship between the city and the surrounding countryside will also be examined in future seasons, especially the area stretching between the city and the lake. Further, they plan to conduct a detailed survey of the lake's shore to establish the exact location of Hippos' port.

The 2010 Goals

During the summer of 2010 (July 4 --July 31), the team plans to excavate and investigate the:

Early Roman Period Basilica;
Early Roman Period Odeion;
Insula by the North-East Church (including preservation work);
Roman-Byzantine Bath located between the Forum and southern city wall;

The expedition also plans to continue preservation treatment of all of the sites that have been exposed thus far.

The project directors are inviting students and volunteers from all over the world to come join them in this exciting long-term expedition. If you are interested, go to http://hippos.haifa.ac.il for more detailed information and to find out how to apply.

Saving Rome: The Villa delle Vignacce Summer Field School

2009-12-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

Can You See Yourself Saving Rome?

By "saving" one means uncovering and preserving its ancient remains, of course. Program Director Dr. Darius A. Arya and Co-Directors Dr. Dora Cirone and Dr. Albert Prieto of the American Institute for Roman Culture Summer Archaeology Field School will be conducting a six week intensive field school in Roman archaeology. The field school will be conducted from June 19, 2010 through July 31, 2010 and offers students a unique combination of 5 weeks of on-site field work and one week of specialized academic instruction by expert archaeologists and institute professors. As the program centers in Rome, there will also be visits to major Roman museums and open-air sites to augment field studies and to provide participants with a broader context of what life was like in Ancient Rome.

Participants will be given the opportunity to develop their archaeological techniques at the ongoing excavation and preservation of an important Roman site, the Villa delle Vignacce (a large Roman villa). In its fifth season of exploration, students will work with professional archaeologists to explore and preserve an important second century AD villa located within Rome’s famed Park of the Aqueducts. During the previous season, the excavation team's efforts were highlighted by the discovery of impressive statuary and marble veneer decoration. Among the finds was a 1.5 long marble statue of Marsyas, discovered resting horizontally on mosaic pavement, still attached to it's marble tree brace. According to a well-known Roman myth, Marsyas challenged Apollo to a music contest, lost, and as punishment was bound to a tree and flailed alive. The statue that was discovered depicts Marsyas in the midst of this punishment.

The 2010 Field School

This summer, field school excavations will continue to uncover more of Ville delle Vignacce’s imperial bath complex, while working to examine and preserve the caldarium, latrine and an apodyterium with marble veneer and glass paste mosaics and vaulting discovered during previous field seasons. As a large and expanding project, the Ville delle Vignacce investigations are proving to be one of the city’s most exciting new excavations and has recently garnered international press attention as one of Ancient Rome’s “At Risk” archaeological sites, threatened as the result of previous neglect and vandalism.

Participants will also explore both the urban development and the material culture of Rome from the 1st- 6th century A.D., investigating in detail many diverse aspects of Ancient Roman civilization. Through the examination of material evidence, so abundant in Lazio, program participants will have ample opportunity to learn from archaeological evidence as well as the many historical monuments and world heritage sites located in the area. Through this field school, participants will:

Learn the importance of archaeological record-keeping, including the proper methodology of conducting excavations, archaeological drawing, note-taking, and identifying, organizing and cataloging finds;
Become familiar with a variety of Roman artifacts and building techniques and materials, and learn how to "read" art, architecture, and other vestiges of material culture;
Learn more about ancient Rome and its archaeological record; and
Learn more about historic preservation.

This season's program aims to provide participants with both a chronological and diachronic approach to the study of Roman civilization. In this way, students will gain a comprehensive historical and cultural perspective of Roman civilization, and an understanding of and appreciation for how its cultural values influenced the entire western world up to the present day.

Pl:

All prospective student participants and volunteers are encouraged to go to the website for additional information about the opportunity and how to apply. Saving Rome couldn't be more fun and exciting!

Tel Dor: Archaeological Riches by the Sea

2009-12-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

Solving the Mysteries of Achill

2009-10-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

It is a comparatively stark, yet rugged and beautiful landscape, totally surrounded by water. Long a tourist destination off the west coast of Ireland, Achill Island harbors some fascinating archaeological sites. Recent research has focused on ancient and historical remains that characterize the significance of Achill's highest peak, Slievemore Mountain, dominating it's surrounding environs at 2,214 feet. Human occupation is evidenced here going back over 5,000 years, to Ireland's Neolithic period. It's southern and eastern slopes are dotted by a series of megalithic tombs and curvilinear field walls. Toward the western end of the mountain are a series of Bronze Age stone platforms and roundhouses. On a lower slope location lie the remains of a historical settlement known as the Deserted Village of Slievemore, an assortment of rectangular houses of dry stone construction. Like an Irish ghost town, it is thought that these haunting yet fascinating remains testify to a traumatic period in the island's history. Continuing archaeological investigation and documentation will shed further light on this in years ahead.

In the summer of 2010, archaeological research on Achill Island will continue under the auspices of the Achill Archaeological Field School, a well-known and highly regarded field school that has, since 1991, trained thousands of students from all over the world. Investigations will focus on three sites: Round House 2 on Slievemore; a late Medieval house at Keem Bay; and a hut at Annagh Booley Village. Round House 2, a Bronze Age site, consists of a circular platform and a substantial dry stone wall and elaborate orthostatic entrance. Was it used for domestic or ritual purposes? Answering that question is a primary objective of the excavation. Excavations of the house at Keem Bay is expected to reveal more about the age and nature of the structure, and help solve the mystery behind the abandoned village of which it was a part. The village settlement is known to have been occupied as late as the early 19th century.

JOIN THE RESEARCH

Are you interested in making a difference in the research and gaining quality, hands-on training in archaeological field work? You can do this by going first to the Achill Archaeological Field School website to learn more about the work, the opportunity, and how to apply. Students obtain credit for the program through the National University of Ireland, Galway, and the coursework includes practical training in excavation methodology, artifact identification, surveying, measured drawings, sampling and analysis, and recording archaeological and architectural features. The field school experience aside, the natural island beauty and the unique cultural taste of the area alone are well worth the trip!

Digging Megiddo: The Archaeological Jewel of the Ancient Near East

2009-10-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

When James Michener wrote his famous bestselling novel about an archaeological excavation, The Source, he had one true-life excavation in mind as his source of inspiration -- the landmark work that was taking place at Tel Megiddo. Reality trumps fiction at this imposing mound in the Jezreel Valley of Israel. Occupying a highly strategic spot along the critical north-south military and trade route that linked Egypt in the south with Syria, Anatolia and Mesopotamia in the north and east, it's location played host to epic battles and ancient successive occupying powers.

Megiddo's rise to prominence began in the late 4th century, B.C., as arguably the most powerful Canaanite city-state in Northern Canaan. Recognizing it as a prospective and important strategic addition to his expanding empire, the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III led a campaign to acquire it with military force, defeating the Canaanite army there and establishing it as an Egyptian province. It is the earliest known recorded descriptive account of a major war in antiquity. Megiddo fell again to other succeeding military powers, including Joshua of the Biblical account, the Egyptian Pharaoh Shishak, the Assyrian King Tiglath-pileser III, and, again from Egypt, Pharaoh Necho. According to the Biblical record, Solomon re-built Megiddo and made it the center of one of his royal provinces of the United Monarchy. It is now, as Michener related about his fictitious excavation site in The Source, an ancient layer cake of civilizations going back in time to the first attempts at urban living in this part of the world. This ancient layer cake has been the subject of systematic excavations and study since 1903, when the first series of excavations were carried out under Gottlieb Schumacher of the German Society for Oriental Research.

During the summer of 2010, Directors Israel Finkelstein and David Ussishkin of Tel Aviv University, along with Eric Cline of the George Washington University, will continue excavations of the Tel. They are calling for a team of volunteers and students to help them uncover more of the site and to assist them in their ongoing analysis of the finds and features recovered from the excavation. The effort will be organized in two sessions: June 12 -- July 1; and July 3 to July 29. All participants will have the option to register for college credit coursework designed specifically to draw from the special activities and environment connected to Megiddo. The first course covers Megiddo and the archaeology of Israel, the second, methods and techniques of field archaeology, and the third, the connections between the Aegean and the Levant during the Bronze and early Iron ages. Each course is worth 3 credit hours. For participants who would be attending the excavations solely as volunteers, there are certain lectures that still must be attended in order to learn how to handle finds properly.

If you are interested in learning more about the Megiddo excavations, the coursework and how to apply, more detailed information can be found at the website.

Up From the Ashes: Uncovering the Kingdom of Tambora

2009-09-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

In April of 1815, the largest volcanic eruption in recorded modern history made its mark on the world with a vengeance. Mt. Tambora, on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa, exploded with such an explosive force that it's atmospheric effects influenced weather patterns across faraway Europe and North America. In one evening alone, it destroyed at least one entire kingdom of people on this ill-fated island. Like the city of Pompeii of ancient Rome, the cultural and human remains of this civilization are now being meticulously revealed under the careful and systematic investigation of archaeologists. House structures, artifacts, human skeletal remains, all are emerging to paint a picture of a people long forgotten in ashes.

Excavations

From June 20 to July 3, 2010, Dr. M. Geria of the Bali Institute for Archaeology will be leading the instruction of archaeological excavations at a site where it is estimated that a community of approximately 10,000 people lived. House structures and artifacts have already been excavated, but a team will continue the progress next summer by continuing and expanding the current work to expose more of what remains of a little-known civilization that was, like Pompeii and Herculaneum of ancient Rome, frozen in an instant of time and place. Who were these people and how did they live? What stories will their bones and artifacts say about them and the world in which they lived in early 19th century Indonesia? Volunteers, students, and archaeologists are invited to join the team to help shed more light on this mystery. Participants will lodge in a nearby guesthouse or, optionally, may camp near the excavation site in tents. When not working, participants will have the opportunity to explore the area, which may include the beautiful beaches, a short boat trip to Satonda Island, a climb to the summit of Mt Tambora, or hikes in the vicinity of the dig. Team members will work with local archaeologists and, through their cash contribution for dig participation, will learn archaeological excavation, recording and investigative techniques, along with knowing the satisfaction of helping to finance the needs of the local archaeologists and community.

Join the Team!

Looking for an adventure? If interested, write to travel4pros_indonesia@yahoo.com for more information and how to apply. You may also visit the website here for more detailed information.

Excavating Tall el Hammam

2009-08-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

Excavating Ancient Tiberias

2009-06-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

Like a great jewel, the modern city of Tiberias rises on the slopes hugging the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is, among other things, a popular resort destination in Israel. But not far from its shops and hotels lies another Tiberias......an ancient one. In about 20 C.E., Herod Antipas saw this location as a seat of power and established Tiberias as a governing center and a city of prominence. In addition to its association with a region where Jesus walked, taught and performed his many miracles, it became a center of Jewish political and spiritual leadership. Here, the Sanhedrin sat. Here also, the Talmud was compiled and edited. In the Byzantine period, it drew thousands of Christian pilgrims and during the time following the Arab conquest it served as the capital of northern Palestine. Needless to say, its ancient political, spiritual, and attendant economic significance endows the location with archaeological treasures yet to be unearthed. Add to this the fact that the ancient site has been relatively unaffected by later construction, and you have a site that promises incredible potential for new archaeological discoveries.

Excavations began in March 2009 on a colonnaded structure in the heart of the ancient city, partially excavated in the 1950’s by B. Ravani and later by Y. Hirschfeld. The building, which was originally interpreted as a covered market, has recently been restudied by Dr. Cytryn-Silverman, who suggests that the structure is not a market, but rather a congregational mosque dating from the Early Islamic period. The main focus of the March season was to excavate squares in and adjacent to the colonnaded building, defining its phases, dating and architecture. Initial data was retrieved during the season, prompting further research questions dealing with the building, its phases and its urban context. These questions will be the focus of the work in the October-November season. Special finds from the first season include: a mosaic floor, an Arabic inscription, complete oil lamps and hundreds of coins. The current research aims to utilize information from past excavations along with meticulous field work in order to study the urban phases and layout.

The expedition will be housed at the Aviv Hotel, a 10 minute walk from the site along the promenade of the Sea of Galilee, and a five minute walk from the city center of modern Tiberias. All rooms have a private bathroom, TV, air-conditioning and a balcony. Single and double rooms are available ($500-$400). Camping options are also available. Check-in to the hotel is on Saturday evening, and check-out is on Thursday afternoon. Fees include meals from Sunday breakfast through Thursday dinner, as well as all lectures and field trips to nearby sites. Minimum participation is one work week, and student discounts are available.

If you are interested in participating with Dr. Silverman in this exciting new research as part of the team, please contact: tiberiasexcavation@yahoo.com

The Copped Hall Trust Archaeological Project

2009-05-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

The name of Copped Hall first appears in a document of 1258 but the family named in the document, the Fitzauchers, who were the King’s huntsmen, had been granted land in the vicinity in 1165. Waltham Abbey bought the Hall in 1350 and held it until 1534, when it passed to the Crown. Mary Tudor (the future Queen Mary) lived here and celebrated the Catholic mass under her Protestant brother’s rule. Queen Elizabeth I granted the manor to her Chancellor, Sir Thomas Heneage, in 1564, who immediately started rebuilding it to create a Tudor grand-house. Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream may have had its first performance at Heneage’s wedding festivities here in 1594. Later it was home to Lionel Cranfield, a Lord High Treasurer of England under James I who was condemned by Parliament for ‘bribery, extortion, oppression and other grievous misdemeanours’. But the Tudor grand-house at Copped Hall – save for some ‘romantic ruins’ – was demolished in the mid-18th century and replaced by a new mansion 250 metres to the south-east. This in turn was gutted by fire in 1917 and stood ruinous for much of the 20th century. In 1995, the Copped Hall Trust succeeded in saving what remained of this mansion and its gardens from the attentions of a variety of developers, authorities and vandals and has since been working to restore them to their original condition.

The Copped Hall Trust Archaeological Project (CHTAP) was set up, with the support of the West Essex Archaeological Group (WEAG), to investigate the remains of the Tudor grand-house. In previous seasons, an intriguing sequence of brick walls and foundations overlain by the landscaped gardens of the 18th century house has been uncovered. The excavations will continue in 2009.

The 5-day Training Dig, for beginners only, will be held in the week starting Monday 10th August. Participants will learn about: tools and their use; excavation methods; archaeological surveying; written and drawn recording; finds and finds processing. Talks will be given on related subjects but most of the instruction will be “hands on” and in the context of actual excavation. A special bonus is the architect’s tour of the 18th century mansion, which is currently being restored, although much of the original framework is still visible.

The 5-day Field School, for people already familiar with the basic techniques of archaeological excavation and recording, will start on Monday 17th August. A small number of places may be available for those who have attended the first week’s training dig but priority will be given to more experienced diggers who are keen to develop their existing skills under expert supervision and those returning to Copped Hall from previous years’ digs. No formal teaching sessions are planned for this week, but for those interested there are likely to be opportunities to take part in a geophysical survey, photographic recording and environmental archaeology.

Instruction and supervision will be given by professional archaeologists, who know the site very well, assisted by highly experienced volunteers. The directors will be Christina Holloway and Lee Joyce. John Shepherd is consultant to the project. Attendance certificates will be awarded at the end of the course. Costs will be £140 for the training dig week (WEAG members £130); £90 for the field school week (WEAG £80). Tea/coffee/water will be provided, as will all tools except a digging trowel, but you will need to bring your own packed lunch.

Accommodation will not be made available at Copped Hall but details of nearby B&B/hotel/hostel/camping accommodation can be supplied. The site is just off the M25 and easily accessible by car or bicycle. Though not directly on any public-transport route, a taxi firm operates a service from Epping Station on the London underground Central Line.

If you wish to come, please fill in the attached form and return it to Mrs Pauline Dalton, Roseleigh, Epping Road, Epping, Essex, CM16 5HW. For some further information see www.coppedhalltrust.org.uk or www.weag.org.uk or phone Mrs Dalton on 01992-813-725, or email pmd2@ukonline.co.uk

The Vratsata Project: Uncovering a Major Early Thracian Settlement

2009-04-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

The ancient Thracians first enter the known historical record through Homer's Illiad, where they are described as allies of the Trojans. More recently, they have become known in popular accounts as the creators of strikingly beautiful and elaborately crafted gold and silver artifacts that have come to light through a number of excavations in the Balkans. The Thracians are important for far more than ancient treasures, however. Dr. Nartis Torbov of the Vratsa Historical Museum is leading an investigation of a site that may, according to his thesis, reveal much more about these ancient peoples and may, indeed, prove to be an important Thracian capital city with a settlement history going back 2,800 years. Known as Vratsata, he believes the site could yield evidence for the capital of the Tribali tribe, where generations of Thracian rulers lived. Research thus far has uncovered a citadel with a pentagonal layout. Materials found here have traced out four historical periods:

Thracians (5th - 1st century BC)
Roman period (1st - 3rd century AD)
Late Antique (4th - 6th century AD)
Medieval period (12th - 13th century AD)

>The Field School

Dr. Torbov is inviting volunteers and students from all over the world to join him and his team in this exciting, ground-breaking expedition of discovery. In association with the Vratsa Historical Museum, he is offering a formal field school that will teach, through practical hands-on activities, the methodology of systematic archaeological excavation and recording. The Field School will include a variety of related lectures and field trips to interesting historical and cultural points of interest in Bulgaria, including a stay in Sofia, the capital city.

The Field School begins June 1st and ends on June 28th. Participants may attend one or both 15-day sessions that make up the total field season. Accommodations are provided in a three star hotel in the town of Vratsa in shared double rooms with bathrooms, hot and cold running water, and TV. Meals include early morning breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the hotel. The food will be traditional Bulgarian. The project will supply all basic equipment needed.

For more information about this opportunity, go to the website at www.vratsata.archbg.net. The website includes information about how to apply. The application deadline is May 31, 2009.