Archaeological Soil and Sediment Micromorphology Course

Location: Athens, Greece

Season: June 15, 2026 to June 19, 2026

Session Dates: June 15 – 19, 2026

Application Deadline: January 15, 2026

Deadline Type: Exact Date

Website: https://www.ascsa.edu.gr/programs/summer-archaeological-science-courses/wl-micromorphology-summer-course

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
American School of Classical Studies at Athens

Project Director:
Dr. Panagiotis (Takis) Karkanas, Director of the Wiener Laboratory, and Dr. Paul Goldberg, Senior Visiting Professor, Institut für Naturwissenschaftliche Archäologie (INA), University of Tübingen

Project Description:

An intensive week-long course in Archaeological Micromorphology is offered by the Malcolm H. Wiener Laboratory for Archaeological Science. Dr. Panagiotis (Takis) Karkanas, Director of the Wiener Laboratory, and Dr. Paul Goldberg, Senior Visiting Professor, Institut für Naturwissenschaftliche Archäologie (INA), University of Tübingen, will lead the course. The program will primarily focus on deciphering site formation processes and micro-stratigraphy. Students will receive instruction in optical mineralogy, description, and interpretation of micromorphological thin sections based on analysis of soil fabrics and sedimentary microstructures.

Training will include the study of: Soils and pedogenic processes; Natural processes in archaeological sites (e.g. water and debris flows, wind-blown sediment, standing water sediment); Biological sediments (e.g., dung, coprolites, guano); Anthropogenic processes (e.g., burning, stabling, living and constructed floors, dumping and filling, trampling, raking, building materials); Post-depositional alterations (e.g., chemical diagenesis, bioturbation).

A maximum of 9 students will be accepted for the course. Preference is given to advanced students with a background in geoarchaeology, and preferably some exposure to optical mineralogy as well.

Participants who successfully complete a course of instruction will receive a certificate detailing the content of the course.

The course will take place from June 15 – 19, 2026, in Athens, Greece.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Age: 18

Room and Board Arrangements:
Training fee is 500 euros ($550 USD) for the entire week. Accommodation is not provided, but we will offer recommendations and assistance to course participants in order to arrange accommodation themselves.