Browse the 2008 Archaeology Field Schools
Add Entry
Search

Czech Republic - Czech-American Archaeological Field School PDF Print E-mail

Field School

Czech-American Archaeological Field School



Application Deadline: March 30, 2006, on a space available basis thereafter.
Field School Dates: May 26 through June 26, 2006

University, College, Institution


College of DuPage in association with Masyryk University-Brno

Field School Location


Breclavm, Moravia
Czech Republic

Field School Overview

  • Field School Type: Excavation
  • Periods Principal Component: Great Moravian (Early Medieval, 9th/10th century AD), Principal Site: The fortified center of Poahnsko
  • Field School Conditions: Research station 2.2 KM from a city of 25,000
  • Field School Access: Short hike, we live on site.
  • Number of years for field school: 6

    Project Directors

    Dr. John P. Staeck, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
    Dr. Jiri Machacek, Masaryk University-Brno (Host)

    Field School Description

    Students gain hands-on instruction in the fundamentals of modern archaeological excavations at the early Medieval fortified center of Pohansko. Teaching is focused on small groups experiences with approximately a 4:1 student/staff ration. Training includes basic excavation using both shovels and trowels, screens, water screening, use of traditional measuring implements (levels, unit layout etc.) as well as laser measuring technology (laser theodolite, laser levels, GIS material), unit planview and profile preparation, note taking, material tracking, and basic field laboratory processing methodology.

    Weekend field trips are made to significant regional sites including Dolni Vestonice, Mikulcice, Stare Mesto, and Modra. Transportation and admission to these destinations is covered in the cost of the program. The opportunity also exists for small group independent travel to locations such as Vienna, Budapest, Krakow, and Prague at the participant's own expense.

    Participants live at the field station established on site. Sleeping accomodations in the form of modern, clean trailers is provided, as well as access to flusht toilets, showers, and comparable ammenities. An 18th century Lichenstein hunting lodge graces the site and features a small pub, swimming hole, and museum. Board includes 3 basic meals per day Monday through Thursday and 2 meals on Sunday. Participants are free to travel on Fridays and Saturdays so ne meal service is provided. The city center of Breclav is only 3 km from the site while its train station, ocated on the main line between Brno and Vienna, is 2.2 km from the site.


    Field school web site: www.cod.edu/people/faculty/staeck
    Field School Size: 1-15
    Minimum age: 18
    Is prior experience required?: No
    Recommended experience: No prior experience is necessary, though a willingness to participate and be involved is.

    Specialized skills you will have the opportunity to learn

    Manual Mapping/drawing (plan views, profiles): Yes
    Total Station EDM mapping: Yes
    GIS: Yes
    Traditional Photography: Yes
    Digital Photography: Yes
    Interpreting stratigraphy: Yes
    Lab work: Yes
    Artifact analysis: Yes
    Fauna identification: Yes
    Evening Lectures: There are lectures 2 evenings per week.

    Academic, Credit Room and Board, & Tuition

    Academic Credit: Yes
    Number of Credits: 6 semester hours credit
    $92 (U.S.) per credit
    College of DuPage
    Room and Board Information: Included in the $1900 program fee.

    Recommended readings

    Please see the project web page for a list of readings.

    Archaeology field school contact

    Dr. John P. Staeck
    Anthropology, College of DuPage
    425 Fawell Blvd.
    Glen Ellyn
    Illinois
    60137-6599
    USA
    (630) 942-2022
    (630) 858-5409
    staeck@cdnet.cod.edu

    Summary

    This field school provides up-to-date training in modern archaeological techniques that are applicable in both Europe and North America while also providing an immersive cross-cultural experience in Czech, and to a larger extent European, culture. Students are encouraged to explore the archaeology, history, and culture of the region. Coupled with the extensive historic component associated with this project this provides participants with outstanding unique educational and life-enriching experiences.
  •