Turkey: Mendik Excavation (IFR)

Location: sanliurfa, turkey

Session Dates: August 18 – September 13, 2025

Application Deadline: December 15, 2024

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://ifrglobal.org/program/turkey-mendik/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Institute for Field Research (IFR), University of Liverpool

Project Director:
Prof. Douglas Baird

Project Description:

Explore the origins of agriculture and monumental ritual architecture at the Mendik archaeology field school in central Anatolia. Located near the Turkish city of Şanlıurfa and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Göbekli Tepe, Mendik offers a rare chance to study one of the world’s earliest transitions from hunting and gathering to settled life—where early cultivation and religious institutions began. This immersive archaeology field school invites students to work alongside professionals in hands-on excavation, artifact analysis, and site survey rotations, gaining practical skills at a site linked to the earliest Neolithic communities. You’ll experience Turkey’s rich cultural landscape with program excursions to key Neolithic sites and Şanlıurfa’s museums, gaining a firsthand understanding of cultural heritage preservation strategies from some of the region’s most important sites. Join IFR for a summer like no other in Turkey—the perfect field school for any aspiring archaeologist!

Field school highlights:

• Excavate the Mendik archaeological site to uncover early agricultural practices and monumental ritual architecture dating back over 10,000 years.
• Gain hands-on experience in excavation, artifact cataloging, and lab analysis, guided by experienced archaeologists.
• Visit the vibrant city of Şanlıurfa, with its captivating museums, monuments, and unique cuisine.

Period(s) of Occupation: Epipalaeolithic and early Neolithic

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:
Our accommodation will be in a new dig house near the site. Students will share bedrooms. Laundry facilities are available. The catering arrangements will involve prepared breakfast and dinner and a picnic lunch. Vegans, vegetarians and gluten-free diets are catered for. The food is varied and nutritious but it will be thoroughly Turkish, which might not appeal to fussy eaters. It is, of course, halal.

Academic Credit:
8 semester (12 quarter)