Bulgaria: Pistiros Excavation (IFR)

Location: 63VQ+7P Septemvri, Bulgaria

Session Dates: July 26-August 22, 2025

Application Deadline: February 1, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://ifrglobal.org/program/bulgaria-pistiros/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Institute for Field Research (IFR), Balkan Heritage Foundation (BHF)

Project Director:
Dr. Angela Pencheva, Dr. Alexey Gotsev & Dr. Emil Nankov

Project Description:

Venture into a vibrant world of ancient trade and cultural exchange at Pistiros, once a pivotal Ancient Greek hub of commerce located near the town of Septemvri in modern Bulgaria. As an emporion, or trade center, Pistiros flourished between the 5th and 3rd centuries BCE, serving as a bustling nexus where merchants from Greek coastal cities mingled with local Thracians. This unique site offers invaluable insights into the coexistence and interaction between Greek and Thracian cultures during the late Classical and early Hellenistic periods. Ongoing excavations have thus far uncovered ancient fortifications, dwellings, a sophisticated drainage system, and a wealth of Greek and Thracian artifacts. Join us in digging even deeper this field season into the rich history of Pistiros and its significance in shaping trade relations and cultural dynamics in ancient Thrace.

Field school highlights:

• Get your hands dirty digging into the only known example of a Greek emporion in Thrace.
• Gain practical archaeological skills in excavation techniques, finds processing, and Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) guided by seasoned experts.
• Soak up the history and culture of Bulgaria’s scenic Thracian Valley through program excursions and immersion in village life.

Period(s) of Occupation: Hellenistic, Classical

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:
Accommodation will be in the Villa Terres Hotel at Karabunar, in comfortable rooms with 2-3 beds, bathrooms with a shower, air-conditioning,and TV. The hotel has a small swimming pool and SPA, free of charge for the participants in the field school. Cheap laundry service and free Wi-Fi are provided. Karabunar is a small village: there are a couple of food & beverage shops, bars & taverns, a winery, and a Christian Orthodox church, St. John the Baptist. The closest supermarket, pharmacy, bank with ATM, and medical office are in the municipal town of Septemvri, 8km away from Karabunar. Meals: Three meals (fresh, organic Bulgarian homemade food) per day are covered by the reimbursement payment. Meals usually take place in the hotel’s restaurant, except lunch packages during excursions. This field school can accommodate vegetarians, vegans, and individuals with lactose-intolerance. Kosher and gluten-free diets are impossible to accommodate in this location.

Academic Credit:
8 Semester (12 quarter)