Colombia: Ciudad Perdida

Location: Ciudad Perdida , CO

Season: June 11, 2017 to July 12, 2017

Application Deadline: June 2, 2017

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://ifrglobal.org/program/columbia-ciudad-perdida/

Program Type:
Field school

RPA Certified:
no

Affiliation:
Global Heritage Fund, Fundación de Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Ambientales Tayrona-FIAAT, Universidad de los Andes, UCLA, Institute for Field Research

Project Director:
Dr. Santiago Giraldo, Global Heritage Fund, Fundación de Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Ambientales Tayrona-FIAAT, and Eduardo Mazuera, M.A. Department of Architecture, Universidad de los Andes

Project Description:

Ciudad Perdida is one of the most mysterious archaeological sites in the world. Hidden deep in the Colombian tropical forest, this site is only accessible by foot and requires a two-day trek. Ciudad Perdida is one of the largest in a network of Tayrona sites, polities that inhabited the Sierra Nevada for more than a millennium and up until European contact (CE 200-1,600). Relationships between Ciudad Perdida and other sites are still unclear and this project is focused on clarifying temporal, cultural, political, and economic connections within this network. The 2016 season focused on excavations at three sites located less than half a mile away from Teyuna – Ciudad Perdida’s core area. These sites form an intricate web connected via flagstone pathways (Sites G-1, G-2, and B-201). It is highly probable that for 2017 students will conduct survey work at a site located 2 miles upriver from Ciudad Perdida known as “Tigres”.  There is still much to be discovered among these sites and this season’s targeted excavation aims to aid us in understanding the construction sequence and functional relationships between them. During this field season, students will also have the opportunity to contribute to essential conservation work at a number of structures that have collapsed and need rebuilding. Local site expert Eduardo Mazuera will lead these efforts working alongside the park’s archaeological conservation team.

Period(s) of Occupation: Prehispanic

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No experience required.

Room and Board Arrangements:
During the hike to Ciudad Perdida, we will be staying in the same lodges used by tourists. The first night you will sleep in a hammock or bunk bed. Lodges on the second night have bunk beds. Students will live in field housing located within the park itself. Conditions are basic, there is no hot water, and you will be sleeping on bunk beds, field cots, or mattresses placed on the floor. All meals will be communal events at the park kitchen and will provide plenty of food prepared by a local cook. The daily diet is based on rice, corn cakes, manioc, potatoes, plantains, lentils, beans, meat (salt beef, pork, and fish) and when available, vegetables and fruit juice. Vegetarians may attend but will find that vegetable and fruit availability will diminish as the season progresses and we use up our store of fresh produce. Vegan and kosher restrictions are impossible to accommodate in a remote location such as this one. Cost: All room and board costs are included in tuition.

Academic Credit:
12 UCLA credit units credits offered by UCLA. Tuition is $4,200.