Valeria Roman Forum

Location: C. Gran Valeria, 17, 16216 Valeria, Cuenca, Spain

Season: June 1, 2025 to August 16, 2025

Session Dates: June 30-19 July 2025

Application Deadline: June 1, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.archaeospain.com/valeriacracgeology.html

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
ArchaeoSpain Archeological Program

Project Director:
PhD Dionisio Urbina and Catalina Urquijo

Project Description:

During the 2002-2024 excavation campaigns we made numerous discoveries, such as fragments of sculptures and pedestals with inscriptions, including some dedicated by Gaius Grattio Nigrino, Lucio Valerio Proculo, and Lucio Fulvio Crassus. A fragment of a bronze torch uncovered in 2022 can be attributed to the goddess Ceres, a divinity whose statue would stand out among the figures of the local elites and the imperial family in this part of the forum. Numerous decorative architectural elements also appeared, such as fragments of Corinthian bases, columns, and capitals from the time of Augustus. Small bronze pieces have also been found, such as a writing stylus, a bowl used to fill lamps with oil, a piece of a small sculpture of the birth of Venus, rings, bracelets, hair pins, and game chips.

In 2025, excavations will continue to focus on the western cryptoporticus. After we uncovered the first remnants of the original pavement (formed by a layer of ash, in 2023, we will excavate lower layers that have already yielded pieces of imitation indigenous and earthen pottery. We will also continue digging to the north of the cryptoporticus to study a set of architectural elements known as the Exedra, which thanks to new findings can be interpreted as a space for representations of the elites, following the model of the Augustan forum in Rome

Period(s) of Occupation: Roman Imperial

Notes:
Cultural-Archeological Excursions: Toledo, World Heritage City, known Cuenca World Heritage City, known Archeological roman city of Segobriga

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 3 weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: Not required but appreciated

Room and Board Arrangements:
Program Fees Include: Full room and board (except lunch on full-day excursions). Fieldwork training. Excursions and other activities. Transportation to and from airport on first and last days of the program (participants will be responsible for their transportation if arriving o leaving at a time not scheduled by ArchaeoSpain staff). Medical Insurance. Application fee. Administrative costs. Certificate for 120 hours. The team will stay in two traditional guest houses in small town of Valeria, located in the Serranía of Cuenca. We'll share double rooms and the common spaces include the living room, dining room, kitchen, and the outdoor patios with a grill -- the perfect place to rest and hang out with our new friends. Lunch and dinner at the small bar-restaurant on the main square of Valeria.