Castelo Project 2019 – Excavation of a Bronze Age Site ($1500-3 weeks/$1850-4 weeks)

Location: R. Florbela Espanca D8, 7170-072 Redondo, Portugal

Season: July 28, 2019 to August 24, 2019

Session Dates: 3 Week Session: July 28 - August 17 // 4 Week Session: July 28 - August 24

Application Deadline: May 15, 2019

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://www.casteloproject.com/

RPA Certified:
No

Project Director:
Rui Mataloto, Municipality of Redondo; with Bianca Viseu, McMaster University

Project Description:

The Castelo Archaeological Project is seeking applicants for its second season of excavation at the site of Castelo, located in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Students will be housed in the nearby town of Redondo.

Castelo sits atop the easternmost hill in a chain of three consecutive Bronze Age hilltop settlements (Evoramonte, São Gens, and Castelo) on the Serra d’Ossa. As excavations at Evoramonte indicate a clear stratigraphic sequence with eight discernable radiocarbon dates from the fifteenth to the eighth century BCE, the site of Castelo has exciting prospects as it is a large site – approximately fifteen hectares – lacks a nearby water source, and is surrounded by a wall; perhaps defensive in nature. The 2018 season was the site’s first comprehensive excavation. For the 2019 season, we hope to continue to gather material, architectural, and geographic data in order to grasp a better understanding of social structure during this period.

Prior experience in archaeology is not required – students of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This field school will train students in archaeological methods, such as excavation techniques, recording, illustration, and the handling and processing of artifacts. Students who wish to gain experience in field archaeology and have an interest in the Bronze Age are especially encouraged to apply – join us in shedding light upon the Alentejan Bronze Age!

There is no minimum age though students under 18 will be asked to co-sign forms with a parent/guardian.

Please visit our website for information on how to apply!

Contact:

Bianca Viseu (viseub@mcmaster.ca)

Period(s) of Occupation: Bronze Age, Early Iron Age

Notes:
Excavation, Field Work, Bronze Age, Iberia, Portugal, Ceramic Analysis, Field School, Archaeology

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 3 weeks

Experience Required: No experience required.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Accommodation: Students will be housed together in the town of Redondo. The house is located very centrally. Most rooms will be shared by two or more students, and sometimes on bunk beds. Sleeping arrangements are gender-separated. Spaces are communal - there is a shared kitchen, bathrooms, washing machine, and living room. Students are responsible for cleaning these spaces and doing the assigned chores. Students will do their own laundry. Meals: On weekdays, the field school provides students with three meals per day. Breakfast is provided at the dig house and students are expected to prepare it themselves. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Dinner is provided by a local restaurant but eaten at home. Students should expect to eat a great deal of local Alentejan cuisine. The project will do its best to accommodate dietary needs, but students must inform us of any dietary requirements, and/or allergies before paying the tuition. Due to the nature of Alentejan cuisine, we are able to accommodate vegetarian diets, but any other dietary requirements must be discussed with one of the directors. Transportation: Students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from Portugal (Lisbon airport) as airfare is not​ included in the tuition. Once in Portugal, transportation will be provided by the field school. Upon arrival at the Lisbon airport on Sunday July 28th, students will be greeted by either Rui, Bianca, or Pouca, and brought as a group to Redondo. At the end of the three week session (Saturday August 17th) or four week session (Saturday August 24th), students will be brought back to the Lisbon airport or elsewhere in the city if they plan to stay in Portugal a while longer after the project. Please inform us of your travel plans as far in advance as possible. The Town: The town of Redondo is quite small but very friendly. During their free time, students are encouraged to explore and familiarize themselves with the town. Free wi-fi is available at the local cultural centre (closed on Mondays) - make sure you bring your own cellphone or laptop. If you’d like to get a phone plan (cellular data plans are very cheap in Portugal) you must do this at the airport in Lisbon - there will be no opportunity to do this at a later time. Students will also have access to the outdoor community pool (wi-fi is available at the pool café) - so make sure to bring your swimsuits! Please remember - members of the Castelo Archaeological Project are guests to the Municipality of Redondo, and your behaviour reflects not just you, but on ours and other projects based in the town. Respect for the town and its residents is of the utmost importance. Cost: Tuition is $1500 USD for 3 weeks or $1850 for 4 weeks, and includes room, board (on weekdays), and transportation costs within Portugal. Participants are responsible for their own plane tickets to and from Lisbon. Students are required to provide their own medical insurance.