Application form:  https://form.jotformeu.com/80593373132354

Valcamonica rock art (the first World Heritage List site in UNESCO in Italy), is an alpine valley between the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia in Northern Italy. In Valcamonica  rock art constitutes an archaeological, artistic, ethnographic and historical patrimony of immense value, not only for its antiquity but, for the thematic and iconographic wealth. As an active rock art centre, member of IFRAO (International Federation of Rock Art Organizations), the Footsteps of Man and the Catholic University of Brescia, organise  annual archaeology fieldwork at Paspardo, one of the major concentrations of engravings in the area, giving those interested (archaeologists and scholars, students and enthusiasts) the opportunity to help the research and learn how to study rock art at Valcamonica.

Project participants will: survey, excavate, clean, photograph, draw and catalogue the rocks engraved in two main sites at Paspardo, Valcamonica: Vite (La 'it - Bial do le scale - 'al de Fuos) and Castello. The project consists of different phases, some are executed at the sites ( survey to find new engraved rocks; analysis of the level of damage to the rock surfaces and conservation problems; contact tracing to record the engravings using permanent pens on plastic sheets and photography), and some in the laboratory (reduction of drawing to scale; cataloguing of engravings). Training will be given.

During each week-long fieldwork session, participants will also have evening lectures on rock art subjects delivered by scholars of international fame, watch films, and have the opportunity to visit other rock art sites (such as the National Park of Naquane, at Capo di Ponte, the park of Foppe di Nadro, at Ceto, and the Park of Bedolina-Seradina at Capo di Ponte), the Roman National Museum and some medieval churches with beautiful frescoes and sculptures.

In Paspardo accommodation is provided in a communal house with rooms, dormitories, showers and kitchen. Volunteers should bring: personal towels, work clothes, work gloves, gym shoes, sleeping bag, sun cream, sun hat and sun glasses. Full information including travel to Paspardo from Italian airports and a bibliography will be given to participants.