Bioarchaeology Fieldschool’23: Fieldwork of the Paleochristian Basilica of Son Bou and Bioarchaeological Research in its Necropolis (Menorca – Balearic Islands – Spain) from 1450 $ session from Nov 01 to Dec 03 2023

Location: V3WH+CH Son Bou, Spain

Season: November 1, 2023 to December 14, 2023

Session Dates: Session #1 Nov 01 – Nov 16 $ 1650; Session #2 Nov 19 – Dic 03 $ 1450 *If you sign up for two sessions in a row (32 days) that take place in Menorca (Balearic Island, Spain), the days between sessions (3 or 4 days) you will have the accommodation for free.

Application Deadline: November 29, 2023

Deadline Type: Contact for Details

Website: http://archaeology.institute/057-digging-the-son-bou-basilica-and-in-its-necropolis.asp

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Sanisera Archaeology Institute https://basilicadesonbou.info/

Project Director:
Fernando Contreras

Project Description:

In 2008 the Sanisera Archaeology Institute for International Field Schools started its courses in classical roman archaeology on the Mediterranean island of Menorca. During all these years many students have come from all over the world to study abroad in order to dig up the Roman remains.

We recommend this field school to those students interested in bioanthropology, osteology, digging remains of the roman cities and classical archaeology.

This course is divided in two parts. In this way, students can learn and experiment in both archaeological digs, developed in the land site: Digging in the Early Christian Basilica and Biological Anthropology in the tombs of Son Bou archaeological site. You can see: https://basilicadesonbou.info/

Part 1. Digging in the Early Christian Basilica – Son Bou-

The research focuses on the archaeological excavation of the area around the Early Christian Basilica of Son Bou to discover the remains of the population that lived next to the temple. Through a baptismal font found in the church, we know that inhabitants were concentrated on the south coast of the island who lived thanks to agriculture, livestock and fishing. And quite possibly they would have commercial contacts with people from other nearby islands. We have evidence of ceramics that come from Ibiza and from more remote places in the East, from the Palestine area (present-day countries of Israel and Jordan).

The excavation at the Basilica of Son Bou provides all the archaeological documentation necessary for the student to acquire enough training and experience in all aspects involving an excavation of the Roman civilization from the VI century A.D. to the VIII A.D.

Time dedicated to this part of the program: 50%.

Part 2. Digging roman graves in the Necropolis of Son Bou

In November 2022, the Sanisera Archeology Institute began digging in the area outside the basilica, in an area very close to the beach, identifying new, unpublished tombs that we want to excavate to find out aspects of the population such as age, sex, pathologies. and issues related to bioarchaeology. It’s estimated that we can discover ten tombs that may correspond to the VII and VIII centuries AD.

Our team of archaeologists and osteology specialists have a lot of experience in these aspects, since a necropolis is being excavated every year at the Sanisera site, which is located in the north of the island of Menorca, and which also belongs to the Late Antiquity period.

The fieldwork focuses on funerary structures, specifically inhumation graves. Participants will learn and apply excavation techniques used in biological anthropology when excavating tombs. Students will also participate in lectures on skeletal anatomy and pathologies, classes and exercises related to the course material. In the laboratory participants will be instructed by an anthropologist and other archaeologists in the classification, study, and conservation of human remains and other related materials found.

Time dedicated to this part of the program: 50%.

What you will learn

1. In the Fieldwork:

• How to dig and which archaeological techniques are used.
• Use and handling of the tools that are used during the excavation process.
• Basic principles of stratigraphy.
• Recording the data obtained during the excavation using the Harris Method.
• Practice on the recognition of archaeological materials and Roman finds from the VI century A.D. – VIII A.D.
• Basic procedures for collecting C14 samples.
• Detecting graves to excavate in the Necropolis.
• Exhume the skeletal remains and record any finds.
• Scale drawings and elevations of tombs/individuals within the tombs.
• Record funerary structures and anthropological remains in context sheets.

2. In the Laboratory

• Study and typological classification of archaeological objects of Roman archaeology: ceramics, numismatics, faunal remains, metals and glass.
• Relative dating based on the classification of archaeological objects discovered in the stratigraphic sequence.
• Prepare anthropological material in the laboratory.
• Cleaning, inventory and cataloging of recovered human bones during the excavation process.
• Basics of the methods used in human osteological analysis, including skeletal anatomy, palaeodemography and palaeopathology.
• Learning how to identify age, sex and height of buried individuals.
• Interpret what went on during the burial process of these individuals.

 3. Theory

• Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Bioarchaeology
• Skeletal Anatomy –Terminology-: generalities, dental structure, skull and other bones.
• History, archaeology, economy and culture of the Roman civilization.
• Introduction to the History of the Sanisera Site.

Directed at

If you have not previously participated as a volunteer in a field school and would like to experiment and gain knowledge with different excavation techniques and methodology during 16 days in two distinctly different sites, this course would be a good option for you. You can see: https://basilicadesonbou.info/

It’s difficult to find a course that allows you to explore both biological anthropology and archaeology where you can gain experience and knowledge in both excavating tombs with human remains and techniques used in excavating Roman structures.

You will experiment in both archaeology and biological anthropology, two areas with many similarities, but also many differences when excavating and treating recovered archaeological material in the laboratory.

At the end of this program you will have experience in both areas and will be able to better decide what path is best for you; biological anthropology or archaeology.

Both of the excavation sites are located on the south coast of the island, surrounded by the sea and pristine and dramatic Mediterranean landscapes.

Previous knowledge or experience in archaeology.

Field School life & language

The fieldwork runs 7 hours a day with time dedicated to both excavations, the study of human osteology by the analysis of the skeletal remains and laboratory work on roman pottery.

Participants will learn and apply excavation techniques used in biological anthropology during fieldwork. In the laboratory, participants will follow guidelines set by an anthropologist and other specialists for the classification, study, and conservation of skeletal remains and other related material found.

Participants will also be given lectures on methodology, roman archaeology, human osteology and classification of archaeological materials.

For every seven course days there are two days off.

The course is taught in English.

Cost & Sessions

From 1450 $ session. ***If you sign up for two sessions in a row (32 days) that take place in Menorca, the days between sessions (3 or 4 days) you will have the accommodation for free.

Sessions	Dates	Cost
Session #1	2023 | Nov 01 – Nov 16	$ 1650
Session #2	2023 | Nov 19 – Dic 03	$ 1450

Elementary information:
https://linktr.ee/sanisera

Period(s) of Occupation: The excavation provides all the archaeological documentation necessary for the student to acquire enough training and experience in all aspects surrounding an excavation of the Roman civilization from the VI century A.D. to the XIII A.D.

Notes:
Certificates - At the end of the Field Program, students will receive a certificate of participation stating the hours and activities of the course. Participants that perform exceedingly well in the course may receive a letter of recommendation from our organization upon request.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 16 days

Minimum Age: 18 and young students between 16 and 18 years old can apply with special permission from their parents.

Experience Required: Previous knowledge or experience in archaeology.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Course fee • Course tuition. • Daily transportation to/from the archaeological fieldwork. • Accident insurance at the site. • Certificate of participation. • Visits to museums and archaeological heritage of the island. It is also possible to visit places of charm and beaches. • Accommodation in the Student Residency in Ciutadella. • In case of needing to process Schengen Visa the mandatory letter of invitation will be written so you can travel Airfare not included from the student home to/from Menorca (Spain). Meals are not included, although we will recommend some cafés and restaurants that do not exceed the average of 23 € /day in meals. * If you sign up for two sessions in a row (32 days) that take place in Menorca, the days between sessions (3 or 4 days) you will have the accommodation for free.

Academic Credit:
http://archaeology.institute/sanisera-archaeology-institute-petition-for-credits.asp