Juvenile Osteology Research Laboratory Workshop – Bioarchaeology of Children (Transylvania, Romania)

Location: Odorheiu Secuiesc, HR, RO

Season: June 30, 2019 to July 27, 2019

Application Deadline: March 15, 2019

Deadline Type: Contact for details

Website: https://www.archaeotek-archaeology.org/juvenile-osteology-laboratory

Program Type:
Field school, Volunteer

RPA Certified:
no

Affiliation:
Archaeological Techniques and Research Centre (Canada), Haaz Rezso Museum (Romania), University of South Florida (USA)

Project Director:
Dr. Jonathan Bethard (University of South Florida); Dr. Andre Gonciar (Archaeological Techniques and Research Centre); Dr. Zsolt Nyaradi (Haaz Rezso Museum, Romania)

Project Description:

During the 17th century, Europe redefined itself spiritually, culturally and politically. The Early Modern period was born out of one of the greatest crises of the old world as European identity was reshaped at all levels. During our 2013 season, we uncovered a very unique phenomenon: the inside of the 17th century churches in the region of Odorheiu Secuiesc, in the heart of Transylvania (Romania), was suddenly dedicated almost exclusively to infant burials. Our initial study of burials in the church in Teleac/Telekfakva showed one adult, 69 juveniles out of which 48 were of preterm or fetal age. This context created the perfect environment to expand our project to an exclusively children perspective.

Recent contributions to bioarchaeological scholarship have devoted considerable treatment to the analysis of children skeletons from both archaeological and contemporary (i.e., forensic) contexts. The aim of this workshop is to provide participants with an intensive review of juvenile osteology and an overview of the ways in which this kind of unique information is interpreted by bioarchaeologists. During the workshop, participants will have the chance to study the growth and development of the human skeleton across various juvenile age cohorts, ranging from prenatal to preadult. The exceptionally well preserved skeletal remains uncovered offer a unique study opportunity.

The project is designed to offer intensive hands-on experience to both students and non-credit participants. It is a research workshop which culminates with the presentation of each set of results at the Seventh International Student Colloquium on Osteology and Bioarchaeology hosted by the Haaz Rezso Museum. Participants who want to pursue and expand their summer research are encouraged to present their papers at the SAA, AAPA and CAPA.

Period(s) of Occupation: Middle Ages

Notes:
Osteological laboratory analysis of exceptionally well preserved juvenile remains, ranging from prenatal to preadult.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 4 weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: Basic knowledge of human morphology and anatomy is required (see our Adult Osteology Research Laboratory Workshop or equivalent).

Room and Board Arrangements:
          Students and volunteers will be housed in Odorheiu Secuiesc, a small and beautiful city, rich in history and culture. It is cosmopolitan town, situated in central Transylvania, on the historical divide between the Szekely Country to the East into the Carpathians Mountains and the more Romanian and Saxon Transylvania to the South and West into the lowlands. Students and volunteers will be housed in double or triple occupancy rooms within 45min walking distance from downtown Odorheiu Secuiesc (or a 10min cab ride) and 15min away from several supermarkets/mall.           Breakfast and dinner will be served Mon-Fri in the hotel restaurant. Participants will sample a variety of amazing home cooked Romanian and Szekler traditional meals. Students and volunteers are responsible for their own lunches in the field. Beware that Romanian cuisine is meat oriented, but we do our best to accommodate vegetarian dietary requirements. There are plenty of small stores, supermarkets, farmer markets, where you can purchase fresh cheese, various meat products, garden vegetables, bread, drinks, and anything else you might need.           Odorheiu Secuiesc provides all the ammenities of a small European city, which includes hospitals an international bus station, train station, and all the stores you might need. Cost: $2,495 (additional USF tuition fees apply, if registering for credit)

Academic Credit:
3-6 undergraduate academic credits (not mandatory) credits offered by University of South Florida. Tuition is Contact University of South Florida - Education Abroad for details .