Fieldwork

Archaeology-Paleoanthropology Field School at the 1.8 Mya Homo site Orozmani (Dmanisi, Georgia) 2025

Location: 856X+32 Kvemo Orozmani, Georgia

Season: July 14, 2025 to September 20, 2025

Session Dates: Season 1 - 07/07/2025-03/08/2025 USD3500. Season 2 - 04/08/2025-31/08/2025 USD3500. Season 3 - 01/09/2025-28/09/2025 USD3500. Tuition covers full cost of instruction, room & board and transportation from Tbilisi (capital city of Georgia) to the dig house and back at the end of the field school.

Application Deadline: May 31, 2025

Deadline Type: Exact Date

Website: https://www.facebook.com/orozmani/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
National Research Centre of Archaeology and Prehistory of Georgia

Project Director:
Giorgi Bidzinashvili, National Research Centre of Archaeology and Prehistory of Georgia

Project Description:

Located 100 km south of the capital city of Tbilisi, the early Stone Age site of Orozmani offers insights into the presence of humans in the Caucasus around 1.8 million years ago. The first extensive archaeological excavations started in 2019. Early Pleistocene fossils of extinct animals and stone tools were found. Now considered an archaeological site, a small excavation (~16m2) was initiated in 2021 and continued through 2022 when the 4th premolar tooth of a hominin mandible was found in the Lower Pleistocene layer. Archaeological material found to date includes a H. erectus fossil, hundreds of prehistoric animal bones, and dozens of stone artifacts. Further exploratory surveys in 2021-2022 revealed an extension of the fossil-rich sediments in each direction, indicating that the fossil deposits and archaeological site could be on the scale of thousands of square meters.

The site is extremely important because of its proximity (20 km) to one of the most famous prehistoric site in Eurasia, “Dmanisi” which boasts the earliest (1.8 million years) Hominin (H. erectus), remains outside of Africa. Stratigraphically between two basalt layers, the deposits of the Orozmani site are
dated to around 1.8 Ma.

The Orozmani excavations are run by members of the Dmanisi Team who have extensive experience in excavating and studying prehistoric sites.

Who can apply: People 18 and older in healthy physical condition can join the dig. No experience
needed; just an open mind and sharp eyes.

Description of Field School: This program deals with the beginning of the hominin occupation of the Eurasian continent. Practical works at the site and lectures by famous scientists from all over the world (Georgian National Museum, Indiana University Bloomington, University of Helsinki, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Universidad Rovira I Virgili, Nanyang Technological University, etc.) will give participants a unique opportunity to develop archaeological and paleoanthropological methods, learn about the prehistory of the region, and contribute to the long story and adventure of some of the first humans in Eurasia.

Students will develop a wide range of skillsets, including:

  • Basic instruction on excavation tools and techniques. (For
    beginners)
  • Precise excavation recording
  • How to operate a Total Station
  • Photogrammetry
  • Typological classification of archaeological objects: Bones, artifacts, etc.
  • Experimental archaeology: stone knapping techniques (Oldowan, Acheulean and Levallois, etc.)
  • Lab works:
    Including cleaning, restoration, and drawing bones and artifacts
  • Wet screening (at the river in front of the site)
  • Sorting through wet-screened sediment for  microfauna and small lithic chips
  • Surveying and identifying archaeological sites of different time period such as Early Stone Age, Neolithic, Bronze Age, medieval, etc. (The Dmanisi region is rich in archaeological sites from all different time periods)

The participants will have lectures on different subjects from experienced scientists such as: paleoanthropology, vertebral paleontology, archaeozoology, taphonomy, archaeology, geology, palynology, site formation, etc.

Period(s) of Occupation: Oldowan / Early Pleistocene / Early Paleolithic / Early Stone age

Notes:
Field working days Monday-Friday 09:00-16:00 (1-hour lunch break 12:00-13:00). 3-4 lectures per week at 19:00. Lab work on Saturday. At the end of a perfect day, relax and gather around a fire with other volunteers and organizers, talk about the day’s impressions, and enjoy delicious Georgia food, barbeque, and wine. APPLICATION FORM IS ATTACHED AS A FLYER!!!

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 4 weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
The participants will live in the dig house with shared bedrooms for 2-3 people, shared bathrooms, a washing machine, and an internet connection. The participants will be provided with bedsheets (sleeping bags are not necessary, but participants may bring them as preferred). The field school will provide breakfast, lunch, dinner. These meals will include different local dishes, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a selection of beverages, including famous Georgian natural wine. Accommodations can be made for dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, etc.) as needed.

Contact Information:


Giorgi Kopaliani

91.A Uznadze Street

Tbilisi

0102

Georgia

orozmanifs@gmail.com

Phone: +995595145186

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