Ethiopia: Shire

Location: Shire , ET

Season: November 12, 2017 to December 16, 2017

Application Deadline: November 10, 2017

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://ifrglobal.org/program/ethiopia-shire/

Program Type:
Field school

RPA Certified:
no

Affiliation:
Department of NELC/Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA, Institute for Field Research

Project Director:
Prof. Willeke Wendrich, Department of NELC/Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA, Rachel Moy, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA

Project Description:

PAYMENT DEADLINE IS SEPTEMPER 1ST. APPLY TODAY! >>> http://ifrglobal.org/program/ethiopia-shire/

Located in the Shire region of Northern Ethiopia, this field school will allow students the opportunity to excavate a site which is virtually unexplored. This site is located near the ancient capital of the Aksumite Kingdom (first to sixth century CE) Mai Adrasha, located 50 KM west of Axum. The site, the region, and its complex cultural heritage, provide important information on the sub-Saharan counterpart of the Greco-Roman world. These societies economic base of agriculture and trade resulted in close contact with the North, and an adoption of early Christianity. The research area consists of almost 100 km² and is located east of the modern city of Inda Selassie. The Shire Archeological Project concession comprises of extensive ancient remains dating from the prehistoric to the medieval period. It includes two large sites, Mai Adrasha and Mezaber Adi Menaber. During the 2017 season, students will work in Mai Adrasha, a site under threat of destruction due to continuing panning of natural gold by the local population. In addition to survey and intensive excavations, students will also have the opportunity to participate in community outreach and assist with crucial site management.

Period(s) of Occupation: Pre Asumite

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No experience required.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Students and staff will be staying in a dedicated excavation house in a quiet neighborhood in Shire/Indaselassie. The accommodations are shared bedrooms, with two or three persons per room and a basic shower and squat toilet in each room. Sheets and pillows will be provided, but participants should bring towels. Once we start fieldwork, the day is fairly full. We will have breakfast in the dig house at 6:30 am and we leave for the field at 7:15am – arriving there by 7:30 am. A light lunch will be served at 12:00 am. Work in the field concludes each day at 3:30pm. The late afternoons are reserved for lab work and daily lectures. At 6:00 pm we get together in the labs to discuss the day’s work. Every work group gives a brief report on the results, problems and successes. During these meetings we will discuss results and interpretations. You are urged to contribute information and suggestions. At 7:00 pm we will eat dinner as a group at a local restaurant. Cost: All room and board costs are included in tuition. Students will pay for their own weekend meals.

Academic Credit:
12 UCLA credit units credits offered by UCLA . Tuition is $4,950 .