2026 Forensic Archaeology of Mass Burials, Spain (Winter)

Location: R2WM+VC Ahillas, Spain

Season: January 4, 2026 to January 31, 2026

Session Dates: Single season

Application Deadline: December 31, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.fieldsciences.org/program/2026-spain-chelva-winter/

Discount for AIA members: None

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Center for Field Sciences & Universidad Europea Valencia

Project Director:
Dr. Llorenç Alapont Martin, Prof. Physical and Forensic Anthropology, Universidad Europea Valencia

Project Description:

Across time and space, many civilizations bury their dead in collective, mass graves. From the ancient civilizations of Peru through Egypt and even the biblical Israelites, shared ancestral burial sites are common. 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. According to written records, between 1551-1558 CE, the Viscounts of Chelva – important leaders of the Iberian period – were buried under the alter of the church. During the summer of 2025, excavations within the church revealed two large burial chambers with burials of multiple humans in each.

This field school has two parts. For the initial two weeks, students will learn how to excavate the complex burial sites, carefully documenting stratigraphy and spatial relationships between the many human remains. For the latter two weeks of the program, students will work at a lab, carefully studying and documenting recovered human remains. 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: Medival Period

Notes:
Tuition cost is $4,350; Program awards 8 semester credit units (equivalent to 12 quarter credits units) through our school of record – Culver-Stockton College

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Full season

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:
All staff and student will be staying 14th century Franciscan convent. The rooms are individual simple, comfortable, and welcoming with free WiFi. The convent has large rooms, bathrooms, showers, library, dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, conference room, recreation and outdoor dining area, as well as a barbecue area.

Academic Credit:
Program awards 8 semester credit units (equivalent to 12 quarter credits units) through our school of record – Culver-Stockton College