Birth of Europe – Excavations at the Neolithic site of Amzabegovo, North Macedonia 2025 (Balkan Heritage Field School)

Location: Amzabegovo, North Macedonia

Season: July 5, 2025 to July 26, 2025

Session Dates: One 3-week session: July 5 - July 26, 2025

Application Deadline: November 16, 2024

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.bhfieldschool.org/program/birth-of-europe-excavations-at-the-neolithic-site-of-amzabegovo

Discount for AIA members: 5% discount off the regular admission fee

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Municipality Institution People’s Museum, Sveti Nikole (North Macedonia), Austrian Archaeological Institute, and New Bulgarian University (Bulgaria)

Project Director:
Dr. Darko Stojanovski - researcher at the Austrian Archaeological Institute focused on the neolithization process of the Balkans; Assistant Professor at the Goce Delchev University in Shtip; Director of several field research projects, including the long-term Amzabegovo project and the “Birth of Europe” field school program; Director of the “Neanderthal Crossroads” field school project of the Balkan Heritage portfolio between 2022 and 2023.

Project Description:

This field school is an amazing opportunity to:

– dig at a Neolithic site in North Macedonia
– learn about the early farming societies of Europe and their technology, and prehistoric archaeology approaches and methods for studying the material remains
– practice all basic excavation and recording techniques on the field
– develop skills in finds retrieval and processing with a focus on Neolithic material culture
– expand knowledge on European Neolithic and the use of interdisciplinary approaches (geology, biology, physics)
– visit significant archaeological and historic sites: Roman town of Stobi, Byzantine town of Bargala, picturesque historic town of Kratovo, the medieval monastery of Lesnovo and the historic center of the capital city of Skopje.

The field school excavations will commence in 2025, in conjunction with the ongoing excavations at the Amzabegovo site. This three-week field school offers a valuable opportunity for both beginners, who will be introduced to the methodologies and theoretical knowledge necessary for participating in archaeological excavations of prehistoric sites, and for students with a deeper interest in the Neolithic studies of Europe and the Near East.

Students who are required to prepare field reports and presentations for their universities can receive additional instruction and assistance.

Period(s) of Occupation: Neolithic (6300-5000 BCE)

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Three weeks

Minimum Age: 18 (16 if accompanied by an adult family member)

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
Accommodation: Participants will stay at Danilov Guest House, located in the center of Shtip. The guest house offers double rooms (twin beds) with a toilet and shower on each floor. Guests have free access to Wi-Fi, a washing machine, and basic leisure and sports/training equipment. Bed linens and towels are provided. Single room accommodation is available upon request for an additional charge. The guest house is conveniently situated within walking distance of local amenities. Meals: Three meals per day, featuring organic Macedonian homemade food, are included in the reimbursement fee. During workdays, all meals are typically served at a nearby restaurant. Meals on weekends are also held at the same restaurant, except for lunches provided during excursions. The field school can accommodate vegetarians, vegans, and individuals with lactose intolerance; however, it cannot cater to kosher or gluten-free diets. Participants are responsible for covering any additional days of stay, single room accommodation, as well as extra meals, beverages, services, and products.

Academic Credit:
New Bulgarian University grants 9 ECTS credits to students for attending this field school. Transcripts of Records (ToR) are available upon request for an additional tuition fee. Participants who are not interested in academic credits don't need to pay the NBU tuition fee.