CU Denver in Croatia: Ancient Adriatic Cave & Coast Project

Location: Vis, Croatia

Season: May 29, 2027 to June 20, 2027

Application Deadline: February 15, 2027

Deadline Type: Exact Date

Website: https://studyabroad.ucdenver.edu/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=77660

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
University of Colorado Denver

Project Director:
Jamie Hodgkins and Caley Orr

Project Description:

The Island of Vis situated in the Adriatic Sea off the Dalmatian coast of Croatia has a rich history including traces of the Neolithic, the earliest Greek colony in the region, Roman and medieval towns, and—in the modern era it held a key strategic role in World War II, the establishment of Yugoslavia, and the development of the modern nation of Croatia. In its much deeper past, low sea levels during the last Ice Ages connected Vis and the other Croatian islands to mainland Europe by way of plain that stretched across to what is now Italy. This plain was cut by the Po River (which still flows out of northwestern Italy) forming a rich landscape for prehistoric hunter-gatherers and the dispersal of early Homo sapiens populations further into southern Europe at the end of the Pleistocene epoch (> 12,000 years before present). Through applied experience at two active archaeological sites (Guićeva Ŝpilja and Magareća Ŝpilja), students in this immersive archaeological field school will explore the fascinating story of Vis with an emphasis on the hands-on investigation of prehistoric life of the Adriatic region.

While contributing directly to new scientific discoveries about Vis’s deep past, students will acquire professional, scientific, and industry-aligned training in state-of-the-art archaeological methods. Students will work with faculty and international research collaborators to gain competency in excavation strategy, digital surveying and field data collection, sediment analysis, artifact recovery, taphonomy, photogrammetry, artifact identification, and field laboratory procedures. Students will learn to meet professional standards for documentation, teamwork, safety, and data integrity. Completion of the course will therefore provide students with skills essential for careers in cultural resource management (CRM) and the heritage sector, and to enter advanced academic pathways in fields such as archaeology, anthropology, paleontology, and environmental sciences.

Period(s) of Occupation: The primary emphasis of the project is on the prehistoric eras of Vis, but students will also have the opportunity to gain experience excavating in historic and classical archaeological periods.

Notes:
Please feel to reach out to either of the course directors if you have questions: jamie.hodgkins@ucdenver.edu caley.orr@ucdenver.edu

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: Minimum 3.0 GPA at time of application Completion of a semester of college coursework at time of application Clean disciplinary record Letter of recommendation Review the full Eligibility Policy on the official website for more details. Non-CU Denver participants should review the Non-CU Denver Student Policy on the official site.

Room and Board Arrangements:
2027 Program Cost: $7,120 Included: tuition and fees, shared accommodations (hotel or guest house), some meals (breakfast & dinner), ground transportation, & international health and evacuation insurance Not included: international airfare, some meals, personal expenses, visa fees (if applicable)

Academic Credit:
Completion of the program will earn students six university course credits through CU Denver with options to take the course at either the undergraduate or graduate level (Field Experience in Archaeology, ANTH 4910/5910). Non-CU Denver students are welcome and will earn credit as non-degree seeking students. https://www.cudenver.edu/admissions/non-degree-admissions