Cyprus - Investigating an Ancient Urban Landscape

The primary objective of the course is to train students in the principles and methods of field archaeology as practiced in the Mediterranean and Near East today so that they can work as skilled team members or supervisors on other archaeological projects. Students will also gain an understanding of Cypriot material culture and how it is used to understand the rise and development of complex societies, as well as an appreciation of the island's modern culture and history. These objectives will be met mainly through intensive, “hands on” student participation in all aspects of archaeological fieldwork as part of the Kalavasos and Maroni Built Environments (KAMBE) Project. This work will include data collection and recording through archaeological excavation and geophysical survey, the processing and analysis of these data, and their interpretation as a means of understanding past human behaviour. In addition to participating in fieldwork, students will also attend a series of lectures on archaeological methods and Cypriot archaeology by project staff and other visiting scholars. Students will also visit important archaeological and cultural sites and museums throughout the island. In late June, students will attend the annual Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute (CAARI) workshop in Nicosia, during which archaeologists working the island present the results of their work. In addition to learning about the Cypriot past, this is an excellent opportunity for students to network and meet other students from around the world.    

Generally, students will work on the project at least five full days (6:30am – 6:00pm) per week, while another day will be spent on field trips or as a short work day, with the next day off. Much of this time will be spent working on the excavation. Students will rotate into other activities, such as assisting with 3D recording using various instruments (e.g., digital camera, laser scanner, drone), collecting and processing of geoarchaeological samples, or cleaning and cataloging finds.   

Daily activities will typically include periods of intense physical labour in challenging conditions.  Cyprus in June-July will be very hot and dry (30-40+ C). We work at an archaeological site in a rural/agricultural area. The trenches we typically work in can be as deep as 1.5-2 m and would not be easily accessible to students with mobility issues. The village where the students will live does not have sidewalks and pedestrians walk on cobblestone streets, which are not entirely flat (but are reasonably well maintained).