Location: Es Mercadal, Spain

Season Dates: April 20, 2013 - November 16, 2013
Session Dates: 1) April 20 - May 3; 2) May 12-25;, 3) June 3-16; 4) June 25 - July 8; 5) July 17 - 30; 6) August 8-21; 7) August 30 - September 12; 8) September 20 - October 3; 9) October 12-25; and 10) November 3 - November 16
Application Deadline: October 30, 2013

Website: http://www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com

Flyer:

2013_maritime_archaeology_in_sanisera.pdf

Program Type
Field school

Affiliation: Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria and the Sa Nitja Association

Project Director: Fernando Contreras

Project Description

For 2013, the Cavalleria Ecomuseum Field Program offers a marine archaeology course which presents two main parts.

The first and most important part - which represents 80% of the course content and includes a minimum of 12 immersions - , deals with underwater archaeological survey in order to explore the Ancient Port of Sanitja and the coast of the Cape of Cavalleria.The aim is to identify structures of the Roman city of Sanisera and underwater shipwrecks, as well as anchors and amphora related with those shipwrecks and its cargoes. The port of Sanitja was not only occupied by Romans.  There are also ruins of a Muslim mosque and an English defence tower which lead us to believe that we will find other vessels from these time periods. In the last years of survey, several anchors and three shipwrecks from the XVI-XIX centuries have been found so far.

The second part of the course will focus on Mediterranean shipbuilding techniques, both in theoretical and practical levels. Students will put into practice their conservation skills with a ship that was built around 1850.

The underwater archaeological course will be directed by Fernando Contreras, director of the Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria, in collaboration with other underwater archaeologists, divers and specialists in maritime archaeology.  

The course is designed to provide practical experience in underwater fieldwork, from site discovery to lab analysis.

In the part of the course focused on the underwater survey of the port, students will gain experience in various activities such as surveying methods, site reconnaissance, recording, drawing, mapping, position fixing, photography, and laboratory processing.

In the second part focused on shipbuilding techniques, students will learn the basics about traditional Mediterranean shipbuilding, as well as learning which tools, instruments and methods are the most suitable in order to restore old vessels.

Students will also attend lectures on Roman shipwrecks, Roman Amphora and methods on archaeological survey. The course runs six hours per day.  The day will be divided between diving in the Roman Port of Sanitja, lab work, exercises, lectures, videos and excursions. The course is taught in English and Spanish.

Period(s) of Occupation: Roman to modern

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 14 days

Minimum Age: 18 (contact with questions about age)

Experience Required: no

Room and Board Arrangements

Participants will stay in the Ecomuseum's student residence in Ciutadella (with laundry service and wifi), within walking distance of the historic center, port, and beaches. Ciutadella is an enchanting Mediterranean town, lively with cafés and outdoor terraces hidden among narrow cobble stone streets. Transportation to and from the excavation site and planned excursions are included.
Airfare not included.

Cost: Between $1400 to $2500

Academic Credit
Number of credits offered: none

Contact Information
Lana Johnson
APDO 68
Es Mercadal, Menorca 07740
Spain
sanisera@arrakis.es
Phone: +34 699 69 55 80