This listing expired on June 1, 2025. Please contact a.p.mccarthy@ed.ac.uk; lisagraham.arch@gmail.com for any updated information.
Location: Kouklia, P, CY
Season: June 30, 2025 to August 1, 2025
Deadline Type: Rolling
Program Type:
Field School
RPA Certified:
No
Affiliation:
The University of Edinburgh/College of Southern Nevada
Project Director:
Dr. Andrew McCarthy and Dr. Lisa Graham
Project Description:
In the summer of 2025, a team of archaeologists, specialists and students will conduct the next fieldwork season of the Prastio-Mesorotsos Archaeological Expedition. Located inland, nestled in the Dhiarizos valley of western Cyprus, the site is unique in Cyprus – a multi-period settlement spanning much of the island’s history, from the Neolithic through to the 1950s AD. The project will be run as a Field School, and no prior experience is required . Students of any discipline are encouraged to apply, especially those from Archaeology, Classics and History, but also those interested in surveying, geography, ethnology, as well as anyone with an interest in Mediterranean history of any period.
Because a site of this kind, with a long sequence of the unique western-Cypriot material culture, has never been excavated before, there is the potential to define a previously unstudied chronological sequence and material culture. Mesorotsos, along with ongoing excavations at other sites, could be a missing piece to the puzzle of western Cypriot prehistory.
The long lifespan of this settlement provides a never-before-seen opportunity to investigate much of Cyprus’ past in one place, and this project is seeks to understand as much about the history of this location as possible. The main activities this season will be excavation of the Neollithic and Bronze Age archaeological remains (artefacts and architecture), and continuing our experiments into ancient cooking practices.
University of Edinburgh, alongside the College of Southern Nevada, will be conducting a field school and training course for introductory and advanced students. This will fulfil requirements for University of Edinburgh Archaeology undergraduate students and will be run as credited Anthropology courses with the College of Southern Nevada.
Prastio Mesorotsos is a multi-period site dating from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age, as well as historical periods. This field school course will train students in fieldwork techniques relating to:
Students will engage in a range of fieldwork techniques and gain skills in intensive and extensive survey as well as topographical and landscape analyses.
Students will also be trained in advanced analytical techniques of recovered artefacts and ecofacts, including:
Students will learn techniques of analysis from experts in a variety of specialisms, and will get hands-on experience cataloguing, analyzing and interpreting the remains from excavated and survey materials. In coordination with the Directors and specialists, there may be opportunities for advanced students to use the Prastio Mesorotsos collections to develop postgraduate research studies and further hone skills.
Trips to museums, archaeological sites, and places of historical interest will also be arranged.
Please ensure you have a current Anti-tetanus vaccination and travel insurance. Further information will be supplied upon acceptance to the project. Expedition members should familiarise themselves with the Field Safety Guidelines, available at: http://www.arcl.ed.ac.uk/safety/field.html.
Period(s) of Occupation: Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Medieval
Project Size: 1-24 participants
Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Full session
Minimum Age: 17
Experience Required: None
Room and Board Arrangements:
We will be based in Pisouri, a charming beachside village with several small tavernas, shops and cafes. Accommodation will be at Kotzias Hotel/Apartments. A packed breakfast and lunch is provided on site and participants will share very basic domestic duties. Evening meals will take place Sunday-Thursday in a local taverna (with occasional BBQ or pizza nights). Friday afternoons and all day Saturdays are free (meals not provided on days off). There is a frequent bus service to the beaches and shops of Paphos and Limassol. Cost: $2250
Andrew Mccarthy
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL
