Summer School in Geophysical Methods in Archaeology

Location: Mirabella Eclano, IT

Season: July 30, 2018 to August 31, 2018

Session Dates: The course will run from July 30th to August 10th and from August 20th to August 31st.

Deadline Type: Contact for details

Website: http://www.apollineproject.org/gpr.html

Program Type:
Field school

RPA Certified:
no

Affiliation:
Apolline Project

Project Director:
Teacher and Director of the School: Guglielmo Strapazzon, PhD, Laboratory of Geophysical – Satellite Remote Sensing & Archaeo-environment Foundation of Research & Technology, Hellas (F.O.R.T.H.); Directors of the Apolline Project: Dr Girolamo Ferdinando De Simone (Accademia Belle Arti di Napoli) and Dr Benjamin Russell (University of Edinburgh)

Project Description:

The University of Edinburgh – Apolline Project team started an extensive geophysical survey at Aeclanum in 2016. The aim was to produce a high resolution map of the urban topography of the site, to explore the depth of surface deposits in different areas of the site, and to assess the extent of post-antique damage to the archaeological remains. This geophysical survey was combined with a campaign of thorough documentation of the preserved standing remains on the site.

Due to the topography of the site and nature of the archaeological deposit, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) was chosen, as this technique has proven to be particularly effective in identifying the presence of masonry structures with a high level of resolution and up to depths of 2-3m. In 2016, 1.6 hectares (16,000 m2) were explored using GPR and in 2017 a further hectare(10,000 m2) was investigated.

As well as intensive surveying of the city centre, a series of 22 profiles were also surveyed across different areas of the city to evaluate the archaeological deposits within the city walls. 

The profiles also confirmed that the north and south-east of the city had the greatest archaeological potential, while in certain sectors later ploughing or land slides have largely removed the archaeological deposits.

In 2018, the geophysics summer school will continue to survey the urban centre of Aeclanum, especially along next to the newly discover forum and in the southern edges of the city centre; additional survey work might also be undertaken beyond the city walls. The summer school takes the form of a two-week intensive course providing attendees with training in planning, conducting and interpreting geophysical surveys of Roman urban sites. The course will concentrate on GPR, though other techniques and their uses will be explained. The training will combine theory and practice, with work in the field taking place alongside classes and lab-based assignments on all aspects of geophysical survey and the mapping of urban landscapes.

Skills that students will acquire upon completion of this course include:

  – basic knowledge of physical principles of geophysical techniques

  – GPR data collection and processing

  – GPR data visualization (2D and 3D)

  – archaeological interpretation of GPR data

 – implementation of GIS platform to integrate geophysical and archaeological data

Course participants will contribute to the final geophysics reports and opportunities for further research within the ambit of the University of Edinburgh – Apolline Project work at Aeclanum can be provided.

Period(s) of Occupation: Multiphase urban site, Roman period - 1st to 6th centuries CE.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 2 weeks

Experience Required: Be computer friendly and willing to discover.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Hostel-style accommodation is provided in the facilities of the Apolline Project, and it is included in the participation fee. The facilities are equipped with toilets, a kitchen, fridges and a washing machine. Cost: 600EUR (Accommodation included in the participation fee)

Academic Credit:
Credits offered upon negotiaton with the University where the student is enrolled. credits offered by Apolline Project. Tuition is .