December 22, 2025
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!
Wesley Smail (Davidson College)
Field School location: Cosa; Ansedonia, Italy
Scholarship: Jane C. Waldbaum Archaeological Field School Scholarship
For his first fieldwork expereince, Wesley Smail participated in the Cosa Excavations in Ansedonia, Italy. Wesley worked at Cosa’s central bathhouse, gaining hands-on training in excavation techniques, stratigraphic recording, artifact identification, and material conservation. From learning how to distinguish ceramic building material from stone to carefully cleaning delicate plaster and opus signinum, each day on site deepened Wesley’s understanding of archaeological practice.
Beyond the trenches, exploring the surrounding landscape and nearby sites helped Wesley contextualize Cosa within the wider history of the region.
Advice for future scholarship winners going on their first digs?
Knowing a little more than feels necessary/sufficient about where you’re headed is never a bad idea! Even spending a few extra hours before leaving home researching the region around your site, the language spoken there, and a bit of its history can deepen your experience that much more.
