Location: Murlo, Province of Siena, Italy
Season: June 29, 2022 to August 3, 2022
Session Dates: June 29th - August 3rd, 2022
Application Deadline: May 1, 2022
Deadline Type: Rolling
Website: http://www.poggiocivitate.com
Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer, Staff Position
RPA Certified:
No
Affiliation:
UMass Amherst
Project Director:
Anthony Tuck
Project Description:
The 2022 field season marks the 57th year of archaeological exploration at Poggio Civitate (Italian for “Hill of the Civilization”) located in central inland Tuscany. Excavation began in 1966 under the direction of Dr. Kyle M. Phillips, Jr. of Bryn Mawr College. Work continued under the direction of his student, Dr. Erik Nielsen, and is currently lead by Dr. Anthony Tuck of UMass Amherst. The excavations have brought to light a large volume of material from distinct phases of Etruscan occupation. A brief summary of this work is provided below. For further material and articles related to the site, please see the excavation database website.
The Poggio Civitate Archaeological Field School is among the oldest and most respected archaeological programs in the world. Our training provides students and archaeology enthusiasts the opportunity to excavate at the site under the direction of a staff of professional archaeologists, conservators, illustrators, and photographers. Participants receive training in all aspects of fieldwork, including excavation and data collection, archaeological survey and drawing, objects conservation, illustration, photography, and cataloguing.
At Poggio Civitate, we believe that the best field experience is comprehensive. Students are encouraged to work directly with directors of excavation units, follow artifacts from discovery through conservation and into cataloguing. Most of our participants come with no field work experience – many have never even taken an archaeology or classics course –and by the end of the season, we believe, each comes away with a foundation in Etruscan Archaeology and field methods, as well as a rich appreciation for Italy and rural Italian culture.
Work on site or in the laboratory (called the Magazzino) will constitute the majority of your “classroom” experience. Participants will work side by side with professional archaeologists, conservators and other members of the excavation team on projects integral to the functioning of the dig as a whole. While the majority of this time will be spent on the hill, working in the trenches, there is a weekly rotation into the magazzino where students will work in conservation, data entry, photography, cataloguing or illustration.
Fieldwork and excavation experiences are supplemented by lectures and a more traditional educational program. Weekly lectures by Professor Tuck or other members of the excavation staff cover a broad range of topics, from a general history of Etruria to the Social and Political implications of Bucchero pottery from Poggio Civitate. Visits to the museum that houses material from our excavation, as well as other regional museums occur frequently. There is also ample free time, including weekends, for participants to explore the Commune of Murlo, Tuscany, and further afield in Italy.
Period(s) of Occupation: Etruscan, Roman, Pre-Roman Italy, Helenistic, Urbanizing, Orientalizing, Archaic, Italic
Notes:
At Poggio Civitate, we believe that the best field experience is comprehensive. Students are encouraged to work directly with directors of excavation units, follow artifacts from discovery through conservation and into cataloguing. Most of our participants come with no field work experience – many have never even taken an archaeology or classics course –and by the end of the season, we believe, each comes away with a foundation in Etruscan Archaeology and field methods, as well as a rich appreciation for Italy and rural Italian culture. Work on site or in the laboratory (called the Magazzino) will constitute the majority of your “classroom” experience. Participants will work side by side with professional archaeologists, conservators and other members of the excavation team on projects integral to the functioning of the dig as a whole. While the majority of this time will be spent on the hill, working in the trenches, there is a weekly rotation into the magazzino where students will work in conservation, data entry, photography, cataloguing or illustration. Fieldwork and excavation experiences are supplemented by lectures and a more traditional educational program. Weekly lectures by Professor Tuck or other members of the excavation staff cover a broad range of topics, from a general history of Etruria to the Social and Political implications of Bucchero pottery from Poggio Civitate. Visits to the museum that houses material from our excavation, as well as other regional museums occur frequently. There is also ample free time, including weekends, for participants to explore the Commune of Murlo, Tuscany, and further afield in Italy.
Project Size: 50+ participants
Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 2 Weeks
Minimum Age: 17
Experience Required: None!
Room and Board Arrangements:
Murlo and Vescovado di Murlo: Excavation takes place on a forested hill in the Commune of Murlo, both outside the town of Murlo (pop. 25) as well as in the town of Vescovado di Murlo (pop. 900). We are located approximately 25 km south of Siena, and 90 km south of Florence. We reside in a villa across the street from the Albergo di Murlo, the local hotel owned by the Rubegni Family. Participants are housed in double, triple or quad rooms, each with its own bathroom and shower. We have a large common/dining room located below the building, which doubles as our lecture hall. Meals: All meals are provided Monday through Friday, and are prepared by our excavation chef. Participants who are assigned to the Magazzino also help with preparation of meals, and many have left with a new appreciation for cooking and Italian food. We are able to meet the dietary restrictions of participants, and there is always a vegetarian option available. Most also take advantage of the various local restaurants for favorites such as Pici al Tartufo (handmade pasta with truffles) and Pizza alla Diavola (pizza with spicy sausage) Cost: $5300 the cost is the same for those opting to receive credit, and those taking it without credit.
Academic Credit:
Six Credit Hours (Two Courses ) UMass Amherst Upper Level Classics credits. Tuition is Included in the Program Cost; the cost is the same for those opting to receive credit, and those taking it without credit.
