Archaeology Field School at the Temple of Zeus in Syracuse, Sicily

Location: Syracuse Academy - Neapolis Center | Study in Sicily, Piazzale San Marziano, Syracuse, Free municipal consortium of Syracuse, Italy

Season: July 4, 2026 to July 25, 2026

Session Dates: Summer Session: July 4 - July 25 (3 weeks) Extended 6-Week Option: June 13 - July 25 (6 weeks) Standard enrolment deadline: March 22nd, 2026 (NB: Students are advised to apply as soon as possible to reserve their preferred courses and housing options. Program housing offered on “first come, first served” basis.)

Application Deadline: March 22, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.syracuseacademy.org/archaeology-field-school-in-sicily/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Delivered by Syracuse Academy, this course was designed in collaboration with the University of Naples Federico II and is officially approved by the University of Minnesota. Institutional Partner: Archaeological Park and Museum of Syracuse

Project Director:
University of Naples "Federico II": Prof. Rodolfo Brancato - Archaeological Park of Syracuse: Dr. Carmelo Bennardo - Syracuse Academy: Peter Neri

Project Description:

International Summer School for Undergraduate and Graduate students in Sicily

There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t yet met. W.B. Yates

Course Title: Archaeology Field School at the Temple of Zeus in Syracuse
Term: Summer Session
Course Code: AR200/SCLY 3xxx
Lead instructor: Prof. Rodolfo Brancato, Ph.D.
Assistant instructor: Teresa Tescione
Contact Hours: 60 contact hours
Credits: 4
Duration: 3 weeks
Location(s): Syracuse Academy Neapolis Study Center, Temple of Zeus Olympian, Archaeological Museum of Syracuse (Sicily, Italy)

Program Highlights & Experiential Learning:

• Watch highlights in the Program Video from the previous year .
• Active excavation at the Temple of Zeus, guided by expert archaeologists.
• Stratigraphic excavation techniques and spatial data.
• Take part in the artifact cleaning and cataloguing in the Archaeological museum laboratories.
• Join team work activities with students from University in Naples and other prestigious international universities.
• Field trips to historical sites of interest and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Course description:

Step into the heart of ancient civilization at the Archaeology Field School at the Temple of Zeus in Syracuse, Sicily. This intensive program unfolds at a historic crossroads where students gain exclusive access to the revered sites, archives, and museum laboratories of the Archaeological Park of Syracuse. Working side-by-side with renowned researchers from prestigious Italian and European universities, participants engage in a blended methodology that bridges theoretical lectures with professional fieldwork and laboratory analysis.

The program centers on the Temple of Zeus Olympios, a majestic “sentinel” of history perched above Syracuse’s Great Harbor and the island of Ortigia. This monumental site has witnessed the confluence of diverse civilizations and legendary maritime sagas, including the historic Athenian and Roman sieges. Students will master the meticulous art of discovery, from stratigraphic excavation and digital 3D mapping on-site to artifact conservation at the world-renowned “Paolo Orsi” Archaeological Museum. This course offers an invaluable opportunity to unearth the enduring legacy of Greek influence while gaining 4 academic credits in one of the Mediterranean’s most evocative landscapes.

Visit the program website for more information on enrollment.

Period(s) of Occupation: Artifacts uncovered on-site in recent excavations are from the Late bronze age to the middle ages. The academic activities focus on the ancient Greek and Classical period in Sicily and the Mediterranean.

Notes:
- 4 credits | 60 contact hours - Major Disciplines: History, Classics, Archaeology - Related Disciplines: Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Italian Studies Extended 6-Week Option: Students can expand their experience into a 6-week immersion. This option includes a 3-credit Italian language course held during the 3 weeks immediately preceding the archaeology program. This preparatory session is designed to enhance cultural integration and linguistic proficiency before transitioning to the intensive field research.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 3 weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No experience required

Room and Board Arrangements:
Our student apartments feature cozy double rooms with storage and study space. Relax in spacious common areas and cook in a well-equipped kitchen; your perfect retreat after a day of studying. Enjoy worry-free living with cleaning, fast Wi-Fi, 24/7 support, and all-inclusive utilities. We offer a prime location in Siracusa, just minutes from the main study center. Experience both convenience and a lively community atmosphere in the heart of the safe city center, all within walking distance from the beach.

Academic Credit:
4 US credits. Official transcripts need to be requested and require approval by home university registrar. Contact to request the program syllabi.