Coriglia Excavation Project

Location: 05018 Orvieto, Province of Terni, Italy

Season: May 24, 2027 to June 23, 2027

Application Deadline: January 22, 2027

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://corigliaproject.org/

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Kansas City Art Institute

Project Director:
Amanda K. Chen

Project Description:

The Coriglia Excavation Project is an international collaboration between the Kansas City Art Institute, the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio dell’Umbria, and the Parco Archeologico e Ambientale dell’Orvietano. The project investigates the site of Coriglia, a settlement first established by the Etruscans and which continued in the Roman, late antique, and medieval periods. The site is located approximately eight miles from the hilltop city of Orvieto, Italy.

Coriglia is home to several ancient structures including bath complexes, production areas, water management structures, a subterranean barrel-vaulted facility, and monumental infrastructure. Current evidence suggests that the site may have served as a way station or mansio for travelers during the Imperial period. Recent seasons have yielded the discovery of an Etruscan-era kiln and Roman-era wine/oil press. A geophysical survey was completed in 2026, which has indicated the presence of several more features on site, including additional possible subterranean areas. Participants will have the opportunity to gain experience in diverse aspects of archaeology by contributing to excavations in the field and the cleaning, identification, and documentation of recovered artifacts.

The focus of the summer 2027 season will be on expanding our understanding of the Etruscan phase of Coriglia through targeted excavation of the Etruscan-era kiln and areas previously identified as Etruscan habitation structures. We will also resume excavating and studying the area surrounding the press to continue our exploration of production activities at Coriglia, as well as a new test area targeting one of the anomalies detected by the recent geophysical survey.

Period(s) of Occupation: Since 2006, excavations at Coriglia have uncovered a complex assemblage of monumental structures that resulted from the persistent habitation of the site from roughly the 7th century BCE through the late medieval/early Renaissance eras. The site sits atop a large hillside that is defined by a series of L-shaped terrace walls, which were repeatedly reworked over centuries and supported an array of architectural features. The major occupation of Coriglia began with an Etruscan phase and reached its peak during the Roman Imperial period. Evidence of Etruscan-era production habitation complements the artifact assemblage, which includes Etruscan bucchero ceramics, loom weights, and bronze fibula. Concentrated building activity in the 1st centuries BCE/CE and Trajanic era produced two bathing facilities, and a complex system of water storage and management across the site. The late antique period at Coriglia is characterized by a systematic phase of recycling and reuse across the site, which gave way to scattered habitation in the medieval era, and finally agriculture during the Renaissance (15th/16th century CE).

Notes:
The priority application deadline for the 2027 season is January 22, 2027. Applications received after January 22nd will be considered on a rolling basis if space remains. Our weekly schedule consists of work in the field or lab Monday through Friday. We leave for the site at 7:30 am on weekdays and work from 8:00 am-5:00 pm. A one-hour lunch break from 12:00 to 1:00 pm takes place at a facility near the site, and lunch is provided. After we return from the field, all participants eat dinner together at 7:00 pm in the convent. Attendance at dinners and lectures are required on weekdays. We are happy to accommodate dietary requests with advanced notice. Weekends are free for participants to travel, relax, or explore the city. Orvieto's central location allows for easy access to most points of interest in Italy— Rome and Florence can both be reached in two hours by train. Our staff of American and Italian archaeologists supervise the excavations, offer lectures, and help lead visits to other nearby sites. We are also happy to offer opportunities for graduate students to develop thesis projects or papers, as well as present at venues including the Archaeological Institute of America’s Annual meeting. Project participants will be required to attend regular evening lectures and various short visits to other nearby sites and museums.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 3 weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No previous experience is required.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Participants will stay in double and triple rooms at the Convent of San Lorenzo in Vineis, a 15th century monastery located just outside Orvieto. The convent is a 30-minute walk or 5-minute bus ride from Orvieto. The residence features a kitchen, courtyard, bathrooms, showers, Wifi, washing machines, and drying racks. All weekday meals are coordinated and provided by the project. The excavations will end on June 22nd. Please note that the night of June 23rd will be the last night that participants for our project may stay at the convent. The program fee for the 2027 season is $3,600. This fee includes accommodations, tools and supplies, weekday meals, daily transportation to and from site, and official program excursions. Participants who apply by the January 22, 2027 priority deadline and submit a deposit are eligible to receive a $300 discount on the program fee.

Academic Credit:
We are happy to work with students to arrange academic credit. Contact achen@kcai.edu for more information.