2024 Debelt, Bulgaria: Conservation of Ancient Greek Pottery

Location: Debelt Bulgaria

Season: June 23, 2024 to July 6, 2024

Session Dates: Single session

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.fieldsciences.org/program/2024-bulgaria-debelt/

Discount for AIA members: None

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Center for Field Sciences & Balkan Heritage Foundation

Project Director:
Dr. Daniela Cherneva, Chief instructor, Balkan Heritage Foundation Affiliate Conservator

Project Description:

This is an introductory workshop for the conservation of ceramics, using ancient Greek pottery recovered from sites in the Western Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. This program will guide students through the history of Ancient Greek pottery and the process of pottery conservation, restoration, documentation, and study. The program takes place in the archaeological reserve with a museum “Deultum” in the village of Debelt.

The course includes three modules: 1) practical work in conservation of ancient pottery, working on ceramic artifacts recovered during excavations at cemetery of Apollonia Pontica (present-day Sozopol, Bulgaria); 2) lectures on topics related to the archaeological context of conserved vessels and to conservation process of ancient Greek pottery; 3) excursions to the ancient coastal towns of Nessebar (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and a tour of Sozopol (including study visits to their archaeological museums).

Period(s) of Occupation: Classical Period

Notes:
Tuition cost is $3,690, including room & board and 8 semester credit units

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Full season

Minimum Age: 18 years old

Experience Required: There are no prerequisites for participation in this field school but note that conservation work requires good manual dexterity skills and ability to carry out delicate bench work. Students will receive hands-on training in conservation work and will spend most of the time learning how to conserve ceramics in a lab setting. Students will be taught how to use a variety of laboratory procedures and equipment – from microscopes to analytical instruments. Conservation work is slow and may be tedious. It requires patience and focus. This is an introductory course so we will cover all the very basic elements of conservation ethnographic work.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Accommodation will be at the archaeological base part of National Archaeological Reserve - Deultum, which is located 22 km from Burgas. It has comfortable ensuite rooms with two to three beds. Free use of wi-fi, washing machine, and kitchen. Bed linen and towels are provided. Wi-Fi is available on the first floor of the lobby area. There is a restaurant on site, where participants will have all their meals served.

Academic Credit:
8 Semester Credit units from Culver-Stockton College, our School of Record