“la Biagiola” International Winter School of Archaeology 2018

Location: Sorano, GR, IT

Season: December 30, 2017 to February 24, 2018

Session Dates: The Winter School is taking place from 30/December/17 to 20/January/18 (first shift) and from 3 to 24/February/18 (second shift). The Winter School will start with the tipical New Year Eve Festivals of Sorano and Pitigliano; however, if you have other plans for the New Year celebration, you can join us on January, 4, 2018.

Application Deadline: December 5, 2017

Deadline Type: Contact for details

Website: http://www.culturaterritorio.org

Discount for AIA members: 100 €

Program Type:
Field school

RPA Certified:
no

Affiliation:
Associazione "Cultura e Territorio" (ACT); Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana; Laboratoire d'Archéologie Médiévale Méditerranéenne

Project Director:
Dr. Luca Mario Nejrotti, Chercheur associé, Laboratoire d'Archéologie Médiévale Méditerranéenne

Project Description:

See the promo on ACT Channel

The evolution of an Etruscan villa through centuries: from the Roman period, to the Lombard occupation, up to a Modern era rural settlement.

“La Biagiola” archaeological site, near Sovana di Sorano (GR), Tuscany, was discovered by the volunteers of Gruppo Archeologico Torinese in 2004, during a survey project led by the Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana.

After a few sample digs, held from 2008 to 2011, again by volunteers, the Association “Cultura e Territorio” (ACT) has been entrusted with the archaeological research of the entire site.

At present, the history of the site is quite clear in outlines: beginning with an Etruscan villa, at least three phases of a Roman villa, a Late Antiquity settlement, a Lombard graveyard and a modern farm follow each other.

The excavations are carried on thanks to Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana, “la Biagiola vitivinicola”, Kaustic Plastik and the municipality of Sorano.

In 2018, after five successful campaigns, we intend to open the Winter School to foreign students of archaeology and anthropology, who wish to experience archaeological excavations in Italy.

The aims of the Winter Campaign are:

• find, survey, study, and catalog the medieval castles still unknown near Sorano and Pitigliano, the program will include photogrammetry and stratigraphic wall analysis;
• classify, draw and study the summer campaign findings (roman and medieval pottery, coins and anthropological remains);
• dig the medieval tomb found near the Late Antiquity structures during the last campaign.

The trainees will be guided through all aspects of archaeological work 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 and Pitigliano museums and castles.

Not to forget the various leisure activities that are also included: Saturnia baths, Sorano special New Year Eve, Pitigliano New Year Festival, and Befana Festival will make the experience enjoyable and unforgettable.

The Winter School is taking place from

30/December/2017 to 20/January/2018 and from 3 to 24/February/2018.

The Winter School will start with the tipical New Year Eve Festivals of Sorano and Pitigliano; however, if you have other plans for the New Year celebration, you can join us on January, 4, 2018.

Period(s) of Occupation: Excavation: from Etruscan period to Late Antiquity, and from Early Middle Ages to Moder Era. Survey: Middle Ages.

Notes:
An exciting three-week (per shift) program uncovering ancient Etruscan, Roman, and Lombard civilization! In winter archaeological work doesn’t stop! There’s plenty of catalog, analysis, survey, and study activity to do. Not to mention a little bit of digging, weather permitting! See the promo at https://youtu.be/XEPgmL-mkXE

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Three weeks.

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No prerequisites are requested for the Winter School; students will be adequately trained during the campaign. The official language of the field school is English and no knowledge of Italian is required. However, Italian or French knowledge will be taken as an advantage.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Accommodations Students and staff will be hosted in a typical country house in Sorano, in dormitories for 3-4 places each, with communal bathrooms and facilities. Meals The meals will be cooked by an Italian cook. The breakfast (consisting of coffee, milk, tea or cappuccino and pastries) will be consumed at the accommodation. On Saturdays, no dinner will be provided by the staff. On Sundays, no lunch will be provided by the staff. Lunch and dinner, consisting of typical Italian dishes, will be held at the accommodation (Winter School fee includes water: all other drinks are not included). 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 (vegetarianism, veganism, etc.) too: student must inform the staff of any special request upon application. On request, it will be possible to go shopping every 3/4 days; students may ask staff members for any personal shopping request (not included in the fee). Cost: From 30/12/2017 to 20/01/2018: 1700€. From 4/01/2018 to 20/01/2018: 1500€. From 3/02/2018 to 24/02/2018: 1500€. AIA Members get 100€ discount. Participants bringing three or more paying appliers get 50% discount. Veterans (previous campaigns participants) get 200€ discount. NO USD PAYMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED, AS FOR MONEY TRANSFER, ALL BANK FEES AND CHANGES ARE TO BE CONSIDERED UPON APPLIERS. Fees will cover local transports, housing, meals, excavation, laboratory equipment, and staff costs; anything not specified is not included. There are no application fees; however, students are required to pay half support fees within 1 week after admission. In case of withdrawal within December 5 2017, the fee will be refunded minus a non-refundable deposit of € 500. After December 6, 2017 fees will not be refunded. Payement metod: money transfer to our bank account. Associazione “Cultura e Territorio” Via Ormea, 122 – 10126 Torino C.F. 97687910014 IBAN: IT23R0321101001052848844830 Bank name: Banca Patrimoni Sella and C. S.p.A. BIC: SELBIT22 SWIFT: SENVITT1XXX Town: Torino, Piemonte, Italia You can to pay just 50% of the amount or the whole amount plus any costs for the money transfer. In case you choose to pay just half fee you should be able to pay the balance upon arrival, in cash.