Altamura, Italy: Archeological Field School

Summer 2008: June 16 - July 7 (tentative dates)

Academic Program

This program offers an opportunity to learn archeological field techniques while participating in the culture of the Puglia region in southern Italy.  American-style methodology will be taught in the classroom lectures, and the on-site archeology fieldwork at Monte Sannace Archeological Park will be supplemented with lab work and fieldtrips to sites in the area, such as the ruins of the Greek city of Metaponto on the Ionian Sea.  Italian archeologists will give background lectures on the cultural-historical aspects of the area and the site (with translators) and will direct the actual excavations at Monte Sannace, a site dating to the periods from the 9th century B.C. (the Peuceti settlement of the indigenous peoples) through the 3rd century B.C. or later, when the occupation was heavily influenced by the coastal Greek settlements and the settlement was rebuilt according to Greek standards.  Students excavate alongside the Italian professionals, learning the methodologies used at the site, and participate in all aspects of the fieldwork, from the use of the transit to the final mapping of the archeological floors and features.

Instructional methods include lectures, guided tours, field work, journal assignments and/or papers, and tests/exams.

Tentative course offerings:
ARTH 389 or ANTH 494 Altamura, Italy, Archeological Field School, 4 credits

Accommodations

Students will reside in either Cappuccini (an old monastery building in Altamura) or an agriturismo a bit out of Altamura in the countryside. Group meals will be provided.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

For More Information

For additional information about the Altamura, Italy: Archeological Field School program, please contact the program director:

Dr. Joan Walker
Assistant Adjunct Professor
Anthropology
E-mail: wmgjmw@ix.netcom.com