2026 Forensic Archaeology of Medieval Mass Graves at the Chelva Monastery (Spain)

Location: 46176 Chelva, Valencia, Spain

Season: May 31, 2026 to June 27, 2026

Application Deadline: April 10, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://anthroctr.org/program/2026-spain-forensic-archaeology/

Discount for AIA members: None

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
University of Valencia (Spain), Fundación Antonia Calavel (Spain) & nthropocene Research Center (US)

Project Director:
Dr. Llorenç Alapont Martin (University of Valencia) & Mr. Juan José Ruiz Lopez (Fundación Antonia Calavel)

Project Description:

Across time and space, many ancient civilizations bury their dead in collective, mass graves. This create highly complex burial grounds where numerous human remains and associated artifacts are mixed together. The excavation, documentation and interpretation of such sites is highly complex, and this field school focuses on training students to study such sites.

This field school takes place at the site of the Medieval Monastery of Chelva, established in 1390 CE. Excavations within the church revealed two large burial chambers, each containing remains of multiple humans and artifacts. For the initial two weeks of the program, students will excavate the two burial chambers, carefully documenting stratigraphy and spatial relationships between the many human remains & artifacts. For the latter two weeks, students will work at a lab, carefully studying and documenting recovered human remains, carrying out the inventory and cataloguing of artifacts recovered from the burial cists. Students will learn how to identify each bone, to determine age, gender, possible cause of death and a range of other indicators within the forensic archaeology framework.

Period(s) of Occupation: Medieval Archaeology

Notes:
Tuition is $4,760; Earn 8 Semester Credit Units through our School of Record – Culver Stockton College

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Full session

Minimum Age: 18 years old

Experience Required: None. This is hands-on, experiential learning and students will study on-site how to conduct forensic archaeology research. Forensic work requires patient, respect and understanding of the capacity of humans for extreme violence. It demands discipline and attention to detail.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Cost of Room and Board is included in tuition.

Academic Credit:
8 Semester Credit Units through our School of Record – Culver Stockton College