Italy: Industria Excavation (IFR)

Location: Monteu da Po, Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy

Session Dates: August 17-September 13, 2025

Application Deadline: February 1, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://ifrglobal.org/program/italy-industria/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Institute for Field Research (IFR), Politecnico di Torino, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA, University of Newcastle, UK

Project Director:
Prof. Willeke Wendrich & Dr. David Walsh

Project Description:

Step back in time as you explore the fascinating history of Industria, a once-thriving Roman settlement in Piedmont, Northern Italy. Founded in the second century BCE, Industria quickly became a bustling hub for metal production, fueled by ore mined in the nearby Alps and transported along the Po River. The city’s industrial prowess and strategic location made it a key center of commerce until a shift in the river’s course led to its decline. Today, this historic site offers an immersive opportunity to engage in community-based archaeology, working alongside local stakeholders to uncover and preserve their cultural heritage.

During this four-week field school, you’ll gain hands-on experience in archaeological field methods while investigating key research questions about Industria’s size, economic and social relationships, and unique cultural influences. A major highlight is the discovery of bronzes and the remains of a temple dedicated to the Egyptian gods Serapis and Isis. Just a short distance from Turin, the program also offers opportunities to explore the rich cultural heritage of the region. You’ll visit archaeological collections, explore nearby sites on program excursions, and experience the daily life of rural Piedmont firsthand, deepening your understanding of both ancient and modern Italy.

Field school highlights:

• Gain hands-on experience in Roman archaeology including excavation, geophysical survey, experimental archaeology, and more.
• Learn how to integrate community interests into archaeological research and work directly with local stakeholders.
• Explore the cultural and industrial heritage of Northern Italy, including excursions to the scenic Alpine region of Aosta and visits to significant archaeological collections in Turin.

Period(s) of Occupation: Celtic, Roman

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Students are expected to stay the full length of the program.

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
We will be staying in the Agriturismo Casa Matilde. This is a small family-run bed-and-breakfast that also will serve our amazing dinners. You will be staying in shared rooms with at the most six persons to a room. If this causes shower traffic jams in the morning or after work, there are two additional bathrooms in the shower block of the swimming pool. A light breakfast will be served at the agriturismo at 7.30, we leave at 8.30 sharp. At 12:30 there will be a (very) substantial lunch in a local restaurant. Work in the field stops around 5.00 pm. After coming home and washing up (and have a swim if you so choose), there will be a lecture and team meeting at 6.30 pm. During the team meetings we will discuss results and interpretations and you are urged to contribute information and suggestions. Around 8:00 pm we will eat dinner. The family that runs Casa Matilde can accommodate special meal requirements (allergies, vegetarian, vegan, halal), while the lunch restaurants will have much more limited options. Please contact the directors if you have very severe allergies or strict meal requirements to discuss if these can be accommodated or not.

Academic Credit:
8 semester