In June 4 / July 2, 2018 the Fondazione Paestum started the first Summer School at the ancient city of Poseidonia /Paestum.

Paestum was a major ancient Greek city on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea in Magna Graecia (southern Italy). The ruins of Paestum are famous for their three ancient Greek temples in the Doric order, dating from about 550 to 450 BC, which are in a very good state of preservation. According to Strabo the city was founded as Poseidonia (named after the Greek deity of the sea) by Greek Achaeans from Sybaris. The colonists had built fortifications close to the sea, but then decided to found the city farther inland at a higher elevation. The fortifications might have been built to the south of Poseidonia on the promontory where Agropoli is now. According to the historical tradition the sanctuary to Poseidon was located there, after which the city would have been named. The date of Poseidonia’s founding is not given by ancient sources, but the archaeological evidence gives a date of approximately 600 BC. The students can come from all over the world to study one of the ancient greek city of Magna Graecia. The practice activities are focused on the archaeological excavation of agora space, very interesting archaeological area, with abundant findings of multiple artifacts that will help us to reconstruct the past.

​Director of School: E. Greco

Course leader: E. Citera, M. L. Rizzo, M. Scafuro, O. Voza

Lessons of… R. Cantilena, L. Cerchiai, M. Cipriani, F. Longo, M. Menichetti, A. Pontrandolfo, A. Serritella, L. Vecchio,, P. Vitti, G. Zuchtriegel

Organization and logistics: T. Calceglia

Target group: can participate students with or without previous experience

Course aim

The excavation at the greek city of Poseidonia/Paestum provides all the archaeological documentation necessary for the student to acquire enough training and experience in all aspects involving an excavation of the greek civilization from the VII to the III century B.C.

What you will learn…

In the Fieldwork

How to dig and which archaeological techniques are used / use and handling of the tools that are used during the excavation process / basic principles of stratigraphy / recording the data obtained during the excavation using the Harris Method / practice on the recognition of archaeological materials and greek finds from the VII century B.C. / basic procedures for sample collection.

In the Laboratory

Study and typological classification of archaeological objects of archaic/classical archaeology: ceramics, numismatics, faunal remains, metals and organic / Relative dating based on the classification of archaeological objects discovered in the stratigraphic sequence.

Theory

History, archaeology, economy and culture of the greek civilization, especially on Magna Graecia material culture. Introduction to the History of the Magna Graecia / study and use of ancient literary sources in archeology / ancient epigraphy / ancient urbanism and topography / manual, digital and analog techniques for the relief of archaeological structures and materials / study of ancient production: pottery, coroplastic, decoration of buildings, metal, painting / analysis and planning of restoration, enjoyment and valorization of ancient settlements. 

Fee info

USD 3000 / EUR: 2490 – course fee includes

Reservation deadline: 20 April 2018

​is included accommodation in the Student Residency in 2 or 3 in a room / breakfast, lunch and dinner / educational prints/ daily transportation to/from the archaeological fieldwork / excursions (visit to the archaeological sites of Elea/Velia, Pompei, Ercolaneum and to the natural park of Vesuvius) / certificate of participation.  

isn’t included travel expenses / clothing / accident-prevention shoes / personal insurance. On arrival, each participant must show and deliver a copy of the personal accident insurance.