Training Excavation
The investigations will include extensive stratigraphic excavations, as well as mapping of the archaeological features and architectural remains uncovered. In the course of the training excavation students will attain basic surveying skills. An individual programme of activities intended to give students direct experience of all the activities follows up this training. Students will be taught to take responsibility for the excavation and recording of their own area, under the guidance of a site supervisor.
This practical course provides an ideal introduction to the world of archaeology.
Prior experience is not necessary, as training will be provided in excavation
methodology, surveying, planning, archaeological drawing, etc.
Class hours will be 7.30 am to 1.30 pm on site. Monday-Friday.
Planning and Section Drawing
Participants will be taught how to draw the features they excavate - both in
plan and in section (profile). Planning is usually carried out with the use
of a 1 metre planning frame and at a scale of 1:20.
During the course the following topics will be covered:
• Surveying Techniques: Setting out a Grid - Plane Table Drawing; Levelling;
Contour surveying using a Theodolite
• Trowelling, planning and recording of archaeological features.
• Architectural survey
• Context sheet recording
• Artefact identification
• Archaeological photography.
Laboratory
The project incorporates daily laboratory work where students participate in
the processing and documentation of the artifacts recovered from the site. All
participants will have a chance to work with artefacts recovered during the
excavation. This work will involve washing them and marking them with their
find and context number.
Class hours will be 5 pm to 7 pm on campus. Monday-Friday.
During the course the following topics will be covered:
• Artefact retrieval, identification and recording procedures.
• Finds processing and cataloguing
• Analysis of finds
• Draughtsmanship ('Inking - in')
Lectures
Several lectures are given as part of the field school. Informal on-site lectures will include an introduction to site reconnaissance, survey, excavation unit set-up, and the mapping of archaeological features in section and in plan. Formal lectures given at the beginning of the session will include an overview and introduction to Bulgarian archaeology. Specific thematic lectures will focus on architecture, ceramic remains and artifact illustration. Lab sessions will cover basic finds processing and inventory as well as preliminary artifact analyses.
During the course the following topics will be covered:
• The social structure of the tribal communities and to the Thracian religion
• The settlement pattern, the urbanization process and the sanctuaries during the First Millennium BC
• The Thracian rich aristocratic burials.
• The Thracian metalwork and particularly the gold and silver treasures, containing both Thracian and imported Greek and Anatolian precious objects.