F31 Astypalaia Bioarchaeology Field School 2025Info Location Attendee Categories Contact More Info Event Information
DescriptionTraining in techniques of bioarchaeological study using the human remains from ancient cemeteries on the small Greek island of Astypalaia. The earliest burials date from about 750 BC and the latest AD 100, so the cemeteries include burials from Late Geometric, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman contexts. Our work centres on the very large children's cemetery which provides a unique opportunity for bioarchaeological research and training. PLEASE SEE THE MORE INFO TAB FOR FULL DETAILS OF THIS YEARS BIOARCHAEOLOGY FIELD SCHOOL
https://sites.google.com/site/fieldschoolastypalaia/
Event Location
Attendee CategoriesStandard Rate.
Additional ItemsContactFor all queries in regards to this Field Trip please contact the following: Prof. Simon Hillson UCL Institute of Archaeology 31-34 Gordon Square London WC1H 0PY 020 7679 4784
PLEASE ONLY CONTACT THE ONLINE STORE DIRECTLY IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH YOUR DEBIT/CREDIT CARD PAYMENT, FOR ALL OTHER QUERIES RELATING TO THIS FIELD TRIP, INCLUDING CANCELLATIONS THESE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE CONTACT DETAILS ABOVE. More InformationAstypalaia is a small, beautiful island in the Aegean Sea and part of the Dodecanese region of Greece. The field school is based on a unique archaeological site – the largest ancient children’s cemetery in the world, with at least 3400 children’s burials. In the laboratory, students learn the specialist skills required to excavate, record, identify, conserve, measure and catalogue the tiny bones and teeth of young children. This is one of the few sites in the world where children’s remains are abundant enough to provide such experience. Everyone carries out all the tasks required for each burial.
The children’s cemetery is just below the modern town, which is on the site of the ancient Classical city of Astypalaia. Almost all the burials are in pots, mostly large amphorae previously used to transport the goods traded by the city. Their form suggests that they came from all over the Aegean between. The Field School is taught within a long-term bioarchaeology project involving collaboration between the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Dodecanese (part of the Ministry of Culture of Greece) and Prof. Simon Hillson of the Institute of Archaeology at University College London.
The 2025 field school begins on July 1 and we will work six days per week, for 4 weeks, until July 30. All teaching takes place in the laboratory. The first week will be spent on intensive training in the methods required. For the remainder of the time, students build their experience through supervised work in the laboratory and learn to place the project in its wider context through discussions and lectures. |