2025 Pompeii, Italy: Archaeology of Death in Pompeii – The Porta Sarno Necropolis Research Project

Location: Via Fondo D'Orto, 7, 80053 Castellammare di Stabia NA, Italy

Season: July 6, 2025 to August 2, 2025

Session Dates: Single session

Application Deadline: June 6, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.fieldsciences.org/program/2025-italy-pompeii/

Discount for AIA members: No

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Center for Field Sciences & Universidad Europea Valencia (Spain)

Project Director:
Dr. Llorenç Alapont Martin, Professor of Physical and Forensic Anthropology, Universidad Europea Valencia

Project Description:

During the 1990’s, the Italian Government wanted to expand the rail system and initiated archaeological study along the planned rail tracks. By 1998, excavators discovered that a very large Roman cemetery lay just under the planned rail expansion. The entire project was discarded, and the area was left half exposed, deteriorating by the elements.

The site’s rapid deterioration and important significance for the understanding of ancient Pompeii motivated us to begin extensive excavation at the area in 2017. The Porta Sarno Necropolis project is now in its seventh season. The study of Porta Sarno Necropolis project offers an exceptional opportunity to investigate Roman society and its unique views of life and the afterlife. The study of the necropolis monuments, tombs, roads, walls, material culture and biological remains provide for contextual and careful understanding of how the funerary space was managed by the ancient inhabitants of Pompeii. Given the extensive excavations elsewhere at Pompeii, we can study how the necropolis evolved in relation to urbanism, legislation, religion, and the history of the city.

Period(s) of Occupation: Roman Period

Notes:
Tuition cost is $4,830; Program awards 8 semester credit units (equivalent to 12 quarter credits units) through our school of record – Culver-Stockton College

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Full length of program

Minimum Age: 18 years old

Experience Required: None. This is hands-on, experiential learning and students will study on-site how to conduct archaeological research. Field work involves physical work and exposure to the elements and thus requires a measure of understanding that this will not be the typical university learning environment. You will have to work outdoors and will get sweaty and tired. Students are required to come equipped with sufficient excitement and adequate understanding that field work requires real, hard work, in the sun and wind. The work requires patience, discipline, and attention to detail.

Room and Board Arrangements:
All participants will be staying at Pompei Hostel Deluxe. Via Duca d'Aosta, 4, 80045 Pompei NA, Italia, in the center of Pompeii. https://www.pompeihosteldeluxe.it/. Rooms are single sex and shared 3 to 4 people. The accommodation has WIFI, Air-conditioning and other facilities. The project will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the week, except for the lunch and dinner on trip days (normally Saturday) and free days (normally Sunday). Please let us know of any dietary restrictions (vegetarian/vegan) so that we may inform the restaurant in advance

Academic Credit:
Program awards 8 semester credit units (equivalent to 12 quarter credits units) through our school of record – Culver-Stockton College