Everyone working on the Keros project believes in combining the latest scientific techniques and methodological advancements while endorsing the key, core, practical archaeological skills which are the foundation of good archaeological practice.

We take a pride in the use of iDig, an in-field digital recording system, together with digital photogrammetry, and aerial photography using drones, to create an accessible, instant archive. This combination of techniques is the future and proficiency in these methods will soon be an indispensable skill required by all archaeologists. In this Field School you will learn key practical excavation skills while having the opportunity to learn about up to the minute, innovative recording methods and to work alongside specialists to learn about a variety of post excavation processes.  

Course Curriculum

Students will receive on-site training in practical skills supplemented by formal lectures and workshops delivered by experienced academic and professional archaeologists.

The core practical skills will include how to:

• identify, excavate and record archaeological stratigraphy
• define and record architectural features and deposits using iDig
• recover and process environmental samples 
• identify and excavate artefacts on site
• use total station and dGPS equipment for accurate location recording

In addition to on-site training, there will be a number of activities in the afternoons together with a series of seminars where participants will have the chance to learn from the many specialists involved in the project and gain an insight into current research.  Our comprehensive afternoon talk programme will ensure that you will gain a unique insight into the Aegean Bronze Age as well as the latest scientific techniques. Talks in previous years have covered the following topics:

• Photogrammetry and 3D modelling
• Macrobotanical Remains
• Environmental Archaeology
• Bioarchaeology (Human Remains)
• Micromorphology
• Lithic Analysis
• Pottery Analysis
• Aegean prehistory
• Keros and the Cycladic Early Bronze Age
• Prehistoric metallurgy
• Soil geochemistry
• Visualization
• Keros in a wider Cycladic context
• Architecture
• Illustration
• Photography
• Mycenaean burial practices
• Byzantine Cyclades
• Commercial archaeology
• Terracing
• Quantitative methods in Archaeology

          
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Who is the Field School for?

The field school is geared towards providing a comprehensive training in field techniques to those new to excavation or in need to enhance their skills to students enrolled in an archaeology degree. 

If you have some previous field experience there is plenty of interesting archaeology for you to develop and consolidate your skills. The extensive use of digital recording systems will mean that you will have the opportunity to learn and apply cutting edge techniques.

Academic Credit

Credit (ECTS - European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) will be offered by the Cyprus Institute on the basis of attendance and relevant assignments. Two options will be offered: 5 ECTS for participants attending 3 weeks at a cost of €300 and 10 ECTS for participants attending 6 weeks at a cost of €600. All candidates will submit an excavation journal consisting of a written record of participants’ work and skills acquisition, which will be submitted a few days before the completion of the field school and be will reviewed and graded. Those attending for six weeks will in addition submit a short evaluative report (ca. 1,000 words) outlining the pros and cons of a selected archaeological method or technique.

For 5 credits based on 3 weeks participation
Students will complete an excavation field journal. The journal will be a daily account of practical training received and skills attained together with a reflective commentary on personal progress and suggestions for further development.

For 10 credits based on 6 weeks participation
Students will complete an excavation field journal as described above during their stay. In addition, students will write a short evaluative report (ca. 1,000 words) outlining the pros and cons of a selected archaeological method or technique.

Disclaimer: Training programs offered by The Cyprus Institute, if applicable, will indicate their equivalence in ECTS credits in their description. Participants will be provided with a Certificate of Completion if they satisfy attendance and evaluation requirements. It is the participant’s responsibility, prior to registering for the programme, to verify whether the institution in their home country (or in Cyprus) and the respective national degree accrediting authority will recognize the ECTS earned during the training programme and whether they will be credited toward their degree programme requirements.