Summer School in Roman Pottery 2025

Location: Lugnano in Teverina, Italy

Season: June 29, 2025 to July 26, 2025

Session Dates: June 29–July 26, 2025

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://romanpotteryschool.org

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Rutgers Honors College

Project Director:
Archer Martin and Mary Jane Cuyler

Project Description:

The Summer School in Roman Pottery is a four-week program designed to introduce the participants to Roman pottery analysis. Potsherds constitute the most common finds on archaeological sites in the classical world. They offer important evidence for dating sites and provide a major source for studies including trade relations and economic exchange, food consumption and aspects of identity. So, pottery studies form an essential part of any archaeological training, the basics of which can be learned only through direct contact with ceramic material.

In 2025, it will again be held at the Civic Museum of Lugnano in Teverina, which houses the finds from the excavations of the Roman villa of Poggio Gramignano. Lugnano in Teverina, a hill town in the Tiber Valley just north of Rome, which is considered one of the most attractive small towns in Italy, has good connections via the railway station at Attigliano-Bomarzo to Rome and Orvieto, as well as other destinations.

The students will learn the fundamentals of Roman pottery through seminars, the hands-on examination of a ceramic assemblage and field trips to ancient production centers and significant collections of material. In the first half of the summer school, overall concepts and the single ceramic classes with their characteristics, function, date, and provenience will be presented. In the second half, the participants will apply their knowledge to a pottery assemblage excavated near Lugnano. This element is designed to give the participants practical experience by working intensively with the directors. If the participants wish to do so, it will be possible to go on to publish the assemblage.

Applications will consist of a cover letter explaining why the applicant wishes to attend, a CV, and the names and contact details of two recommenders. Acceptances will be made on a rolling basis beginning on February 20, 2025 (and thereafter if places remain available). The session is expected to have 5-9 participants.

The fee of $2850 covers the cost of instruction, field trips, housing in a shared apartment in Lugnano, and partial board (lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday). Participants will be responsible for their own travel costs, travel/medical insurance, and incidental expenses.

Period(s) of Occupation: Roman (republican through late antique)

Notes:
amphora; terra sigillata; ceramics analysis; Roman pottery; Roman lamps; ancient cookware

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: Graduate and advanced under-graduate students, junior faculty, professionals and independent scholars in archaeology, Classics, and art history, and any related field are encouraged to apply.

Room and Board Arrangements:
$2850 program fee includes a shared apartment in the town of Lugnano in Teverina, Italy. This is a communal housing situation; participants wishing to make independent housing arrangements will be responsible for the cost and should contact directors for advice on local BnBs. Lunch and dinner will be provided on weekdays. Participants are responsible for their own airfare and travel/medical insurance.