The Monteverdi Field School in Archaeology

Location: Paganico, IT

Season: May 26, 2019 to June 27, 2019

Application Deadline: February 15, 2019

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://www.imperoproject.com

Program Type:
Field school

RPA Certified:
no

Affiliation:
University at Buffalo (SUNY), The Cooper Union University, and Michigan State University

Project Director:
Prof. Alessandro Sebastiani (University at Buffalo - SUNY), Prof. Michelle Hobart (The Cooper Union), and Prof. Todd Fenton (Michigan State University)

Project Description:

The field school excavations focus on a late Etruscan-Republican sanctuary and related vicus as well as on a deserted Medieval village, along with the middle valley of the river Ombrone. These sites represent a unique occasion to investigate economies in transition and settlement patterns in the territory of Paganico.

Courses are aimed at students, early career scholars and those passionate about archaeology, classics, art history, anthropology, and cultural heritage management.

The excavations are carried out by the University at Buffalo – SUNY in collaboration with the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le Province di Siena, Grosseto e Arezzo, Michigan State University and the Cooper Union for Advancement of the Science and Arts of New York.

The course is a fundamental introduction to stratigraphic excavation methods and to studies of excavated artifacts and is worth 6 credits. Subjects include excavation methods and their application, analysis of built structures and archaeological features, context analysis, finds handling and recording, and studies of ceramic, glass, metal, bone, and numismatic material.

The field school is located near the modern town of Paganico (Grosseto, IT). It is set in the breath-taking middle valley of the river Ombrone close to Montalcino, Siena, and Grosseto.

Period(s) of Occupation: Etruscan, Roman, Late Antiquity, Early Middle Ages, Late Middle Ages

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 4 weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No prior experience is required.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Monteverdi is a large working historical estate, producing olive oil, wine, fruits, and grains, and is located in the Maremma part of Southern Tuscany, between Siena and Grosseto and the coast. The estate appears in early maps: in fact it is the location of several important sites, including at least one Roman site, a still very visible Medieval bridge over the River Ombrone which is overlooked by a ruined castle known as Il Castellaccio; the main Villa with its current origins from the 1490’s, and a family chapel dedicated to St Anthony of Padua from the 18th Century. The estate was previously owned by the noble Patrizi family until it was bought at the beginning of the 20th century by the current owner’s family. The properties you will be staying in are in traditional Tuscan stone houses and are comfortable and recently renovated, and enjoy spectacular views of the Tuscan countryside and all on the estate. The bedrooms are large and light and each property have Wifi and a TV. The nearest village is Paganico (5 mins drive), which has ATMs, supermarkets, cafes, laundry, and other facilities. The nearest two cities are Grosseto and Siena, while the nearest beaches are about half an hour away. Public transports from Paganico can provide you with a day trip to Rome, Siena, Grosseto or Florence quite easily. You will be catered for by the estate staff – breakfast will be in your individual houses; lunch and dinner all together in one of the houses. Generally, breakfasts will be continental, lunch a cold pasta salad/rice salad etc, while dinner will be more substantial, and the cuisine will be Tuscan. Cost: See: https://goo.gl/2RMXST

Academic Credit:
6 credits credits offered by University at Buffalo - SUNY. Tuition is .