Cyprus: Idalion Excavation (IFR)

Location: idalion, cyprus

Session Dates: June 1 – July 1, 2026

Application Deadline: March 1, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://ifrglobal.org/program/cyprus-idalion-excavation/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Institute for Field Research (IFR)

Project Director:
Dr. Pamela Gaber

Project Description:

Play a part in uncovering the story of Idalion, one of the most influential city-kingdoms of ancient Cyprus and a major player in the Bronze and Iron Age copper trade across the eastern Mediterranean. Located in the village of Dhali, just 20 minutes from the capital Nicosia, this archaeology field school offers students the opportunity to excavate at an expansive ancient urban center that thrived for nearly three millennia.

Training alongside experienced archaeologists and digital specialists, you’ll develop hands-on skills in excavation, artifact processing, and cutting-edge digital tools. This season’s work focuses on unearthing the architectural continuity between the city sanctuary and the city’s east acropolis, both in use for over a thousand years.

You’ll also engage in real-time digital documentation while contributing to the digitization of decades of legacy excavation data. Join a long-standing excavation project on the scenic island of Cyprus during the summer 2026 field season and help shape what we know about one of the ancient Mediterranean’s most dynamic urban centers.

Field school highlights:

• Uncover urban life and sacred spaces in one of the ancient Mediterranean’s most powerful city-kingdoms.
• Develop essential field skills while learning how to use in-demand tools like GIS, photogrammetry, and 3D modeling.
• Make the most of your summer research program with weekly field trips to ancient sites and museums across Cyprus.

Period(s) of Occupation: Iron Age

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Students are expected to stay the full length of the program.

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
You’ll stay in a communal house with shared bedrooms and common spaces for both living and processing finds from the site. Bedrooms will be shared with 1-2 students depending on size. Meals: All meals will be provided by the program, and this program can accommodate most special diets and allergies.

Academic Credit:
8 semester (12 quarter) – anticipated