Location: Penalba de Castro, Burgos, Spain

Season Dates: June 30, 2012 - July 28, 2012
Session Dates: June 30 - July 28, 2012
Application Deadline: May 15, 2012

Website: http://www.archaeospain.com/clunia

Program Type
Field school
Volunteer

Affiliation: Diputacion de Burgos / ArchaeoSpain

Project Director: Dr. Francesc Tuset, University of Barcelona, and Dr. Miguel Angel de la Iglesia, University of Valladolid

Project Description

ArchaeoSpain participants at the archaeological excavation of Clunia will join a field crew alongside archaeologists and architects from the Universities of Valladolid, Burgos and Barcelona.

Next summer we will be continuing the excavation of the city’s theater, the largest of its kind on the Iberian Peninsula. Since 2002, the excavation teams have made some great discoveries, from the original drainage tunnel still in use to the evidence uncovered that proved that the Romans converted the theater into a semi-amphitheater to accommodate gladiator fights and other spectacles. We also found a large, square stone in the center of the theater with an inscription that allowed us to date the exact year that the stone was installed as 169.

This year we will continue digging in this area. We may also venture into some structures built into the slope of the plateau, but that depends on how the work progresses in the theater.

Clunia, one of the Romans' administrative capitals during the 1st and 2nd centuries, sits atop a vast plateau about 3,360 feet above sea level. Throughout the 20th century, archaeologists unearthed countless public monuments and structures, including the Forum, the Basilica, two bath complexes and several houses. The site is famous for its well-preserved mosaic floors and its underground water source that can only be reached by scuba-diving archaeologists. The cave leading to the aquifer revealed a small shrine with an interesting collection of artifacts.

ArchaeoSpain at Clunia involves excavation, mapping, photography and the conservation and cataloguing of artifacts. The group will also tour historical sites in the Clunia area. Visiting these sites is essential to understand the context of the archaeological work at Clunia.

Period(s) of Occupation: Roman

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 30 days

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements

The group will be staying at a house in the village of Penalba de Castro, where the Clunia site is located. The program plans on housing 1-3 people per room. Meals will be eaten with the Spanish team at a local restaurant. Wifi is available at the research facility. Program fees include room and board for the duration of the program, airport pick-up/drop-off on the first and last days of the program, historical excursions, museum and site admissions, medical insurance, application fee and administrative costs.

Cost: US/Canada: $2,830, Rest of the World: 1,980 euros

Academic Credit
Name of institution offering credit: In arrangement with participant's own institution.
Number of credits offered: none

Contact Information
ArchaeoSpain
5 Ironwood Lane
West Hartford, Connecticut 06117
USA
programs@archaeospain.com
Phone: 866-932-0003
Fax: 866-932-0003

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