“La Biagiola” International School of Archaeology (B.I.S.A.)

Location: 58010 Sovana, Province of Grosseto, Italy

Season: May 14, 2023 to August 20, 2023

Session Dates: May 14–21; From July 24 to August 20.

Application Deadline: June 10, 2020

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://www.culturaterritorio.org

Discount for AIA members: AIA members will get € 100 reduction

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Associazione "Cultura e Territorio", Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio (SABAP) per le Province di Siena, Grosseto e Arezzo, LA3M – Université d’Aix-Marseille – CNRS

Project Director:
Dr. Luca Mario Nejrotti, Membre Associé at LA3M – Université d’Aix-Marseille – CNRS

Project Description:

“The Stone and the River” project: a complete program (one+four weeks) uncovering ancient Etruscan, Roman, and Lombard civilization!

The “la Biagiola” special program for students provides a first-hand experience from the fieldwork activities to the communication to the public.

We provide an exciting opportunity for a first-hand experience in a landscape archaeology study, on a region which history spans from prehistory to Middle Ages.
You’ll take part in the archaeological survey, working alongside expert archaeologists and foreign fellow students.
You’ll learn the latest digital technologies in architectural survey, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), photogrammetry, and 3d rendering, right on the field.
This program is offered in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Office of Tuscany, the regional authority that manages archaeological sites and monuments.
In addition to the archaeological experience, you will be able to enjoy a wide range of cultural sites, historic monuments, and natural sites of Tuscany.
B.I.S.A. program is open to all students of archaeology, anthropology, and related disciplines.

Featured disciplines

Anthropology, Archaeology and Museology.

Coursework

Students will experience all aspects of an archaeological career; fieldwork, landscape archaeology approaches, architectural archaeology, burial archaeology, scientific analysis, 3d modeling, photogrammetry, SLAM technologies, and cutting-edge open source digital archaeology. Moreover, coursework will explore and focus on the major features of ancient Etruscan, Roman and Early-Medieval cultures.

“The Stone and the River” project
Human settlement in the region is closely related to the river and the rocky landscape features.
The project consists in the diachronic investigation of this relationship, through the study of the traces that man has left in the rock over time: building (castles, churches, villas, sanctuaries, and hamlets) and carving (necropolis, hermitages, canals, and roads).
Furthermore, using the most modern technologies, photogrammetric surveys and three-dimensional models of the most significant sites will be created.

The 2023 campaign
After 10 years of study of “la Biagiola” multi-layered site, we are ready to analyze its context, and the traces of settlement preserved in the tufo landscape and their relationship with the river Fiora.
Students will experience all aspects of a complex archaeological survey study, and all the technologies that can help the researcher with it.
Moreover, coursework will explore and focus on the major features of ancient Etruscan, Roman and Early-Medieval cultures.
The aims of the 2023 Campaign are to:
• complete the archaeological survey of the middle Fioravalley;
• census and survey of necropolis, castles, road traces, hamlets, and rock shelters;
• digital rendering of the most important sites.
The program will be beneficial for both Classical and Medieval archaeologists.

The trainees will be guided through this new adventure by a team of skillful archaeologists who will be able to explain clearly every aspect of the research process.

Since the site is located in the middle of a rich archaeological area, several cultural excursions in the surroundings are planned, such as the Etruscan necropolis of Sovana, the impressive vie cave, Sorano, Manciano and Pitigliano museums and castles.

Not to forget the various leisure activities that are also included: Bolsena Lake, Saturnia baths and the numerous festivals will make the experience enjoyable and unforgettable.

Period(s) of Occupation: From early Etruscan time to late Middle Ages

Notes:
Although the school will have a specific focus on survey and technologies applied to landscape archaeology, our friendship with the "Città del Tufo" park (https://cittadeltufo.com/) will continue and our students may have the opportunity to collaborate in the excavation of new Etruscan tombs, for the expansion of the park, or in a small in-depth investigation of the multilayered site of "la Biagiola".

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Applicants must attend the whole shift

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: The 2023 Campaign is open to both undergraduate and graduate students in Archaeology. Admission is limited to 25 students. No prerequisites are requested for the School: students will be adequately trained during the campaign.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Arrival and departure: students are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Italy. The Summer School is taking place in the municipality of Sorano (GR), in the south of Tuscany, personnel are authorized to transport to and from the Grosseto railway. Accommodations: students and staff will be housed in the typical country house, in dormitories for 6-8 places each, with communal bathrooms and facilities. The school house address is: Catabbiaccio, 58055 Semproniano GR Meals: lunch and dinner, consisting of typical Italian dishes, will be consumed at the accommodation (International School fee only includes water; all other drinks are not included). Breakfast (consisting of coffee, milk, tea or cappuccino and pastries) will be consumed at the accommodation. On Saturdays no dinner will be provided by staff. On Sunday no lunch will be provided by staff. Every effort will be made to accommodate students with food allergies (nuts, shellfish, etc.); students with food allergies are required to inform the staff of their specific dietary restrictions upon application. We also will try to accommodate individual lifestyles and dietary choices (e.g. vegetarianism) too: student must inform the staff of any special request upon application, no special dietary request after application will be taken in consideration. More info in the brochure and at www.culturaterritorio.org

Academic Credit:
In order to enable students to gain credits from their University, a signed certificate will be issued, testifying all the activities of the School in details. The tuition includes both educational and room and board.