Denmark: Vasagård Excavation (IFR)

Location: Rønne, Denmark

Session Dates: June 3-June 28, 2024

Application Deadline: April 1, 2024

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://ifrglobal.org/program/denmark-vasagard/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Institute for Field Research (IFR), BARC-Bornholm Museum

Project Director:
Dr. Finn Ole Nielsen, Dr. Paul Otto Nielsen, Dr. M. Nicolás Caretta, MSc. Michael Thorsen

Project Description:

The site of Vasagård is located on the southern side of the island of Bornholm, Denmark. Vasagård is separated by the 100m Læså valley from two nearly identical Neolithic sites, and consists of a tomb system where a dolmen and a passage grave can be found close to the settlement. The grave system and causewayed enclosures are dated from c. 3500 BC, and constitute the most north-eastern occurrence of this complex type in Europe. During the excavations of 2013-2017, almost three hundred broken and complete flat, engraved stones were uncovered, marked with patterns of radiating straight lines. Named “sun stones” or “solar stones”, archaeologists from the Bornholm Museum have postulated that these artifacts were likely part of the rituals carried out by Neolithic sun-worshipping practitioners about 5,000 years ago. New excavations will help to increase and to improve the amount of information about the site and the Neolithic Period in the Baltic region.

Period(s) of Occupation: Neolithic Europe

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Students are expected to stay the full length of the program.

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
This program stays at a campsite in the city of Åkirkeby, approximately 15 km from the capital of the island of Bornholm. The site has comfortable cabins with beds (bathrooms with shower, WC, and heating system) in the guest house, which also provides free Wi-Fi. Participants are expected to bring sleeping bags and personal towels. Students will share a room based on gender and room size. Food is not included on this program due to the high cost to hire a cook or catering service. However, the house is properly furnished with all cooking appliances and refrigerators, so students can share the tasks of shopping and cooking their own meals at a lower price. There are several options to buy food in the city for affordable prices. Food stores are within a walking distance from the guest house.

Academic Credit:
8 semester (12 quarter)