Archaeological Field School in

NEMEA and AIDONIA, GREECE

20 June - 25 July 2020 Season

       

The Pan-Hellenic Sanctuary of Zeus


Directed by Dr. Kim Shelton
Department of Classics, University of California, Berkeley
Nemea Center for Classical Archaeology
American School of Classical Studies at Athens

An opportunity for undergraduate students to participate in archaeological research in Greece and receive academic credit from the UCB Classics Department (CL N172A). No experience or prerequisites required – only a desire to learn.

                    
          

Course description:
Through this Field School students will participate in field research, site planning, and museum study in Greece at the site of Nemea and the Classical Sanctuary of Zeus and in 2020, excavation at the Mycenaean Cemetery of Aidonia.  Through extensive travel and hands-on work, students will learn the major elements of methodology and analysis currently used in classical archaeology.

The primary goal is to teach practical archaeological skills in a real research environment while gaining an understanding of the material culture of Greece throughout various periods of its prehistory and history. Students will participate in a variety of field techniques and research methodologies including when appropriate: regional and site survey and sampling, geo-physical testing and mapping, field excavation, stratigraphic analysis, written, graphic and photographic recording of data and finds, cleaning and conservation of finds, scientific and stylistic pottery analysis, cataloguing, and presentation of research results through collection and exhibition management.

In addition, an overall knowledge of the archaeological history of Ancient Greece will be attained through the recovery and analysis of material (architecture, sculpture, metalwork and ceramics) from a wide range of periods (prehistoric through Early Christian) and especially through travel to major archaeological and cultural sites of Greece. The course also provides a valuable opportunity to learn about a foreign country and its contemporary culture while living in a traditional village community and to gain a unique perspective on the life of the ancients while living in their own landscape.
In 2020 students will be working primarily at the Bronze Age Cemetery at Aidonia and in the Nemea Museum with possibly a few days at Petsas House, Mycenae:

1.    site cleaning and mapping followed by the excavation of features 

2.    the cleaning and conservation of finds from the recent excavations; the registration, cataloging, and analysis of finds from recent and older excavations
3.    surface investigation and planning of many areas on site including excavation area and elsewhere
4.    the sorting and cataloging of pottery from the major characteristic deposits in preparation for publication, esp. of  prehistoric, Hellenistic, and Byzantine materials



For more information and an application please contact Dr. Shelton by e-mail: sheltonk@berkeley.edu
Application deadline – February 3rd, 2020

More information on Nemea at nemeacenter.berkeley.edu

1/03/20 sheltonk@berkeley.edu