Trasimeno Archaeology Field School

Location: Castiglione del Lago, PG, IT

Season: May 25, 2019 to July 6, 2019

Application Deadline: April 19, 2019

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://www.umbra.org/academics/archaeology-summer/

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Umbra Institute, Arcadia University, DePauw University, Intrageo, Soprintendenza Archeologia dell'Umbria, Comune di Castiglione del Lago

Project Director:
Dr. Rebecca Schindler, DePauw University

Project Description:

The Trasimeno Archaeological Field School provides a curricular concentration in Archaeology and History based in Castiglione del Lago, a charming medieval town situated in Umbria, along the southwestern shores of Lake Trasimeno between Umbria and Tuscany, close to renowned historical cities, such as Orvieto, Perugia and Cortona.

The program runs for 6 weeks, from May 25 till July 6, and it consists of two courses. This curricular concentration aims to provide students with a comprehensive overview of up-to-date theories and methods of archaeological fieldwork and research as applied to the civilizations that shaped the history and culture of central Italy.

The course ARFW 350: Archaeological Field Workshop is an archaeology practicum where you will work on the site alongside a professional archaeological staff. You will gain fundamental skills of archaeological research and apply them over the course of the project. Course Credit: 3

ARCL 340: Archaeology in Central Italy: The Etruscan and Roman Heritage introduces students to the region’s history and heritage, as context for our archaeological research. It also provides a theoretical background for the summer program’s learning and training. Course Credit: 3

Both courses are non-prerequisite and mandatory. They include fieldtrips to various archaeological and cultural sites, including an overnight trip to Rome. Fieldtrips are designed to enhance student understanding of the territory’s history, while also providing the opportunity to study and visit neighboring archaeological sites and major museum collections.

The last four years of campaigns in the territory of Castiglione del Lago have revealed significant archaeological remains, including a Roman building complex and a possible Roman road. The goal of the campaign as a whole is to assess the original pattern of human impact in the entire territory, and understand its development since antiquity. Umbra Institute’s mission is to develop our students’ expertise in the full range of methods and processes employed in a complete archaeological project, from research design and preliminary survey of the territory, to methods of data collection in the field and digging, to the cataloging and display of archaeological remains. Investigating the archaeological heritage of this landscape, our project provides an instructive example of how different civilizations built upon one another in the same geographic area.

In keeping with the Umbra Institute’s community engagement philosophy, the project is long term and runs in cooperation with the municipality of Castiglione. In this context, students will collaborate with the local archaeological museum learning methods and theories in museum science.

The Trasimeno Archaeology Field School is run by the Umbra Institute in cooperation with the Archeological Superintendency of Umbria, with the Comune of Castiglione del Lago and the Archeological Research Company Intrageo.

Period(s) of Occupation: Etruscan and Roman

Notes:
The Trasimeno Archaeology Field School is a collaboration between the Comune of Castiglione del Lago, DePauw Unviersity (Indiana), and Arcadia University - The Umbra Institute (Perugia). This comprehensive archaeological research project is focused on recovering the cultural and environmental history of Lake Trasimeno. In 2018, we plan to continue excavation of a Roman villa that dates from 2nd c. BC - 3rd c. AD. This site occupies several terraces and includes a bath house, domestic structures, and agricultural production areas. Student participants live in the Medieval town of Castiglione del Lago (on Lake Trasimeno) and receive course credits through the Umbra Institute (http://www.umbra.org/academics/archaeology-summer/).

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 6 weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
Students will live in modernly furnished studio apartments (2-3 students each) directly on the lake shore, a short walking distance from supermarkets and the archaeological site. All apartments include kitchens. Castiglione has a lively outdoor life and students will have the opportunity to enjoy the everyday life of a typical Italian community. Bus and train services directly connect Castiglione to other cities, including Rome and Florence, making it easy to travel over weekends. A renowned summer location, Castiglione is an international venue for relaxing vacations, swimming and sun-bathing on its beaches, or for practicing a variety of sports. Cost:

Academic Credit:
6 credits offered by The Umbra Institute - Arcadia University. Tuition is $5,975 - Reduced tuition (50% off the normal program tuition) available for returning students, see the Alumni Workshop and Assistantship Program here: http://www.umbra.org/archaeology-field-school-alumni-program/.