The Poggio Civitate Archaeological Project – 2023 Field Season

Location: 53016 Murlo, Province of Siena, Italy

Season: June 28, 2023 to August 3, 2022

Application Deadline: May 1, 2023

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://www.poggiocivitate.org

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
UMass Amherst

Project Director:
Anthony Tuck

Project Description:

The 2023 field season marks the 58th year of archaeological exploration at Poggio Civitate (Italian for “Hill of the Civilization”) located in central inland Tuscany. Excavation began in 1966 under the direction of Dr. Kyle M. Phillips, Jr. of Bryn Mawr College. Work continued under the direction of his student, Dr. Erik Nielsen, and is currently lead by Dr. Anthony Tuck of UMass Amherst. The excavations have brought to light a large volume of material from distinct phases of Etruscan occupation. A brief summary of this work is provided below. For further material and articles related to the site, please see the excavation database website.

The Poggio Civitate Archaeological Field School is among the oldest and most respected archaeological programs in the world. Our training provides students and archaeology enthusiasts the opportunity to excavate at the site under the direction of a staff of professional archaeologists, conservators, illustrators, and photographers. Participants receive training in all aspects of fieldwork, including excavation and data collection, archaeological survey and drawing, objects conservation, illustration, photography, and cataloguing.

At Poggio Civitate, we believe that the best field experience is comprehensive. Students are encouraged to work directly with directors of excavation units, follow artifacts from discovery through conservation and into cataloguing. Most of our participants come with no field work experience – many have never even taken an archaeology or classics course –and by the end of the season, we believe, each comes away with a foundation in Etruscan Archaeology and field methods, as well as a rich appreciation for Italy and rural Italian culture.

Work on site or in the laboratory (called the Magazzino) will constitute the majority of your “classroom” experience. Participants will work side by side with professional archaeologists, conservators and other members of the excavation team on projects integral to the functioning of the dig as a whole. While the majority of this time will be spent on the hill, working in the trenches, there is a weekly rotation into the magazzino where students will work in conservation, data entry, photography, cataloguing or illustration.

Fieldwork and excavation experiences are supplemented by lectures and a more traditional educational program. Weekly lectures by Professor Tuck or other members of the excavation staff cover a broad range of topics, from a general history of Etruria to the Social and Political implications of Bucchero pottery from Poggio Civitate. Visits to the museum that houses material from our excavation, as well as other regional museums occur frequently. There is also ample free time, including weekends, for participants to explore the Commune of Murlo, Tuscany, and further afield in Italy.

Period(s) of Occupation: Etruscan - Roman - Orientalizing - Pre-Roman Italy

Project Size: 50+ participants

Minimum Age: 17

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
Provided

Academic Credit:
6 Credit Hours - UMass Amherst