Field School
On site
No previous archaeology experience is required, as students will be taught about excavation methods and techniques used on site. Teaching methods will be hands-on exercises with experienced professionals instructing on a variety of topics including site safety, setting up the excavation, heavy digging and correct use of different tools (eg. pickaxe, shovel, brush), trowelling, context recording, planning, section drawing, construction of Harris Matrices, treatment of finds and environmental sampling. These skills will be taught within the process of the research dig and students are expected to participate in all aspects of the excavation process.

In the lab
All finds and environmental samples recovered from the excavation are processed each day in the field lab. Students will be taught about how to wash them correctly, sort and label finds, including ceramics, bones, seeds, metals, glass and charcoal. The most significant ceramic finds will be illustrated. Students might also be involved in a floatation programme, from sampling on site to sample processing in the lab.

Lectures and field trips
Brief lectures will be presented every week on topics relevant to the excavation. They are aimed to combine the practical experience on site with the theoretical background. Lectures are generally related with excavation and site recording methods, survey, ceramic analysis, archaeological illustration, zooarchaeology and geoarchaeology. Lecture topics might change according to lecturers’ availability.

Field trips will be carried out in neighbouring towns, such as Moura, Mourão, Monsaraz, Serpa, Barrancos, also focusing on eventual nearby archaeological sites being excavated during our visit. Sandwich lunches must be prepared and brought from home for the field trips.

The first Saturday is free, and a common choice amongst the students is visiting the nearby town - Moura. No meals are provided on free days, but breakfast.

 

General Schedule

Mon-Fri: 7am – 7:30am – breakfast
8am – 1pm (excavation) – 30min break at 10am
1.30pm – lunch
3pm – 6pm (lab work, lectures)
8pm – dinner
Saturday: Free day (Only breakfast is provided).
Sunday: Field Trips