The Manglisi Archaeological Project: Uncovering Bronze Age and medieval landscapes

Location: Manglisi, Georgia

Season: May 30, 2021 to July 25, 2021

Session Dates: Please see details on our website

Application Deadline: March 31, 2021

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://pasttopresent.org/the-manglisi-project/?v=79cba1185463

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Past to Present Archaeology

Project Director:
Rupert Birtwistle

Project Description:

Do you want to join us on a journey of discovery? The Manglisi Project offers the unique and exciting chance to be involved in a brand-new international research initiative full of adventure, archaeology and of course world-famous Georgian wine. Whether you simply wish to excavate our medieval settlement, uncover the bones of your early ancestors or be responsible for discovering new ground-breaking sites, our archaeologically rich project is the ideal summer vacation for you. We welcome all students and keen non-students, wanting an archaeological experience of a lifetime. Feel welcome and valued whilst excavating a previously untouched historic Georgian landscape.

Our sites are situated in a protected private reserve and currently focus on a Bronze Age burial landscape and medieval settlement. The project is in its infancy and therefore participants would have the chance to not only work on the ongoing excavations but undertake survey and test excavations on newly identified sites. Our friendly, approachable and knowledgeable specialist team will instruct you to a British professional standard and we offer training in the following disciplines tailored to either beginners or those looking to enhance their excavation skills:
• Excavation and recording techniques
• Environmental sampling and processing
• Finds processing (Osteological short-course subject to numbers)
• Archaeological survey
• Geophysical survey is possible

You will have the opportunity to participate in all activities, but full courses in environmental sampling and processing and artefact studies are offered.
Evening lectures and excursions are also offered.

Period(s) of Occupation: Manglisi is situated in south-east Georgia in the region of Kvemo Kartli on the southern slopes of the Trialeti Range, Lesser Caucasus. The region is an area of natural beauty and is steeped in history. In the 4th century Manglisi acted as one of the earliest centres for early Christianity in the region. In 2017, an extremely large private reserve was surveyed for archaeological potential and over 30 sites encompassing Palaeolithic, Bronze Age, early Christian and medieval were identified. In 2018 Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia, under the guidance of Dr Nika Tushabramishvili, began test excavations in the reserve on Bronze Age and medieval sites. What they found was a hidden medieval settlement with a church and numerous Bronze Age and later burials. The reserve has the potential to produce in excess of 100 sites, and therefore is of regional an international significance. In 2021, Past to Present Archaeology will be supporting the project by continuing excavations while opening test excavations in new locations.

Notes:
1 week: £795
2 weeks: £1495
4 weeks: £2795

Fee includes educational and fieldwork activities, full-board accommodation, a welcome pack, skills passport, administrative costs, evening entertainment and excursions included and even some world-famous Georgian wine 😉 Trips to a local shop will take place twice a week. Flights are not included. Please visit our website for details of how to book your experience.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 1 week

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
Full-board is included in your fee. You will be staying in shared space accommodation split across three houses on the reserve, sleeping a maximum of six to a bedroom. The accommodation provides 4 showers, 3 toilets and 4 wash basins, Wi-Fi is also available. A delicious hot evening meal will allow you to sample all the best that Georgian cuisine has to offer. Meals will be served on a veranda in front of the main house.

Academic Credit:
No formal credits are offered but each participant will have the opportunity to complete a skills passport.