January 5, 2026
16 students received AIA Field School Scholarships in 2025. Made possible through the Jane C. Waldbaum Archaeological Field School Scholarships and the newly established American School of Prehistoric Research Scholarships and Laura Obolensky Scholarships, these awards support emerging archaeologists as they gain hands-on experience at sites across the globe. Stay tuned as we highlight their stories and share updates from the field!
Nicole Tombazzi (University of British Columbia)
Field School location: Kalavasos-Ayios Dhimitrios, Kalavasos, Cyprus
Scholarship: American School of Prehistoric Research Field School Scholarship
This past summer Nicole Tombazzi took her archaeological training into the field, joining the Kalavasos and Maroni Built Environments (KAMBE) Project in Cyprus as a recipient of the AIA’s American School of Prehistoric Research Field School Scholarship.
Working at the Late Bronze Age site of Kalavasos-Ayios Dhimitrios in the Vasilikos River Valley. Nicole and her peers focused their efforts on understanding how the layout of the building and city shaped daily life, social interaction, and community identity.
Nicole also gained training in advanced archaeological methods, including geophysics, drone-based aerial survey, photogrammetry, 3D laser scanning, soil sampling, flotation, and stratigraphic recording—working alongside specialists from around the world.
Advice for future scholarship winners going on their first digs?
My advice is to go into your dig with a positive attitude. Do not be disheartened if you are struggling, you are there to learn and improve, so keep at it! It will be tough work, so rely on your peers and encourage each other even when you’re exhausted. Remember that this is an incredible experience that not many get to do and make the most out of it. Time will fly and you will miss it when it’s all over. Good luck and happy digging!
