One of the most exciting ways to learn about the past is through the process of archaeological survey and excavation. Students step from the classroom and into the field as archaeologists - engaging with information on the very edges of our knowledge. The University of Massachusetts Amherst Department of Classics supports two excavation opportunities for our students, the Kea Archaeological Research Survey on the Aegean island of Kea, and the Poggio Civitate Archaeological Project based in central Tuscany, Italy. In these programs, students learn techniques of archaeological survey, excavation and documentation, materials conservation, illustration, photography, and data management. They work with professionals in the field, contributing to primary research and outreach to the wider public.
Unfortunately, the cost of these programs is considerable. Both the Kea and Poggio Civitate programs strive to keep costs minimal but the expense of housing and travel means that these remarkable opportunities are sometimes inaccessible to qualified, talented students. Your support, alleviating the cost of travel for these students, will be divided among undergraduates participating in the 2022 field seasons, lessening the financial burden and opening a world of discovery to students of the ancient Mediterranean.