European Prehistory and Archaeological Fieldschool in Portugal
May 24 - June 26, 2010

Welcome to the Department of Anthropology's European Prehistory and Archaeology Fieldschool in Rio Maior, Portugal

Wake Forest Univrsity's Portugal Summer Program is an intensive European prehistory and archaeological field school in which students explore the different regions of Portugal while studying variation in prehistoric human adaptations across past landscapes. The program is based in Rio Maior, a small town situated one hour north of Lisbon in a region known for its diverse biological, geological and cultural resources and rich, well-preserved record of the prehistoric human past.

Academic Program

Hands-on training provided in a wide range of archaeological field skills. Courses include guest lectures and field demonstrations by professional archaeologists. A Wake Forest faculty member certified by the Register of Professional Archaeologists serves as resident professor and travels and stays in Portugal to oversee program academics and teach required course(s). Field work performed by teams of Portuguese and American students.

Costs

Total program costs consist of three parts:

• Tuition for six hours of course credit at Wake Forest University [where's the figure?]
• Roundtrip airfare to Lisbon (arranged by the student): $800-$1,200
• Inclusive Program Fee
  Covers: all lodging, three meals per day, extensive in-country transportation in air-conditioned vans, all archaeological and cultural permits, and admission fees.[where's the figure?]

Since the actual costs may vary from year to year, the University has asked that we not publish the dollar amounts on our website. Please contact Dr. Paul Thacker, director of the Portugal fieldschool, or the registrar's office for current costs.

Applications

Due to space limitations, students will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of completed application.

Apply on-line through the Wake Forest University International Studies website: http://studyabroad.wfu.edu
Application deadline is early February.

Student enroll in Anthropology 381 and 382 (Field Program in Anthropological Archaeology) for six hours of academic credit through Wake Forest University Summer School.

Applications with a non-refundable program fee deposit of $500 will be accepted beginning November 15, 2009.

Students should apply for Wake Forest Study Abroad Scholarships early in the Spring Semester through WFU Center for International Studies

Program Details

Experience Scientific Discovery: Learning Archaeological Field Methods

This intensive field-based course provides hands-on training in a wide range of archaeological field skills. These diverse techniques are taught within an innovative pedagogical framework combining actual field research with travel to other archaeological sites and museums sequenced by major chronological stages representing 40,000 years of cultural evolution in European prehistory.

Archaeological Field Training includes:

Survey Methods

• Read complex topographic maps and aerial photographs
• Use/compare a variety of compasses, transits, and GPS receivers
• Find true position/bearing of travel using landmark triangulation
• Measure distance using level ad slope pacing methods
• Participate in systematic field-walk and transect landform surveys

Grid and Mapping Systems

• Understand area excavation grid coordinate and balk systems with site datum point
• Generate map of surface elevations using automatic level/transit and stadia rod
• Lay out square and rectangular excavation units using tapes and Pythagorean formula
• Operate total station and prism rods for site gridding and surface mapping

Excavation Methods

• Controlled excavation with trowel, shovels, and handpick
• Position and excavate shovel test pits
• Piece plot artifacts in three dimensions
• Recognize/excavate unit to natural and arbitrary levels
• Excavate straight unit walls to 90° and floors to horizontal
• Use automatic level/transit, line levels, and total station
• Pedestal artifacts and section features during excavation
• Dry sieve sediments and recover small artifacts using shaker screen

40,000 years of Prhistory: Included Archaeological Excursions

Students explore the different regioins of Portugal while studying variation in prehistoric human adaptations across past landscapes. All transportation, meals, and admission costs are included in the program fee. Participants also attend special lectures by professional Portuguese archaeologists in Rio Maior and at the Protuguese National Archaeological Museum, the Roman Theatre and Sé of Lisbon, the BCP site in Baixa, and the University of Coimbra.

In recent years, the more than 30 archaeological site excursions included:

Alcobertas: Dolmen Chapel
Alcobertas: Archaeology, Tourism and Sustainable Development
Alentejo: Anta Grande Dolmen Tomb
Belem: National Archaeological Musuem
Castelo Rodrigo Roman - Medieval Town
Conimbriga: Roman City and Archaeological Museum
Cromleque of Almendres
El Castillo Paleolithic Painted Cave
Evora: Roman Temple
Lisbon: Excavations at the Sé (Cathedral)
Lisbon: Roman Theatre Site and Museum
Lisbon: Late Prehistoric Excavations in Urban Context
Lisbon: Excavations at Castelo de Sao Jorge
Menir at Outeiro
Museum of the Roman Villa: Rio Maior
Nazare: Town and Coastal Archaeological Sites
Pagan Menir of the Girlfriends
Neanderthal Museum and Archaeological Site at Lapedo
Vale de Coa Paleolithic Rock Art

What Students Are Saying

"This program is unique in that you gain hands-on knowlege of Portugal's history and people. You will dig, you will visit the beautiful historical and cultural monuments of Portugal, you will eat Portuguese food, and you will meet and work with the Portuguese. This is one of the most fulfilling experiences I have ever had and is a prime chance to gain knowledge and work skills while studying abroad."
- Katy L.

"Portugal was the most unique experience of my life - it is one thing to simply learn about a nation's history, but it is entirely different to actually dig it out of the ground. A completely different appreciation is gained by being a part of an expedition to learn about history and human behavior."
- Lance H.

"Dr. Thacker's archaeology course teaches students about the past but also about the present. Our class excursions helped me understand cultural evolution in an entirely new way, and his exercises never let us lose focus on the relevance of archaeology in today's world. Anyone interested in past and present cultural diversity should take this course."
- Bryan T.

"My experience was rewarding both academically and personally. I learned valuable skills necessary to conduct archaeological excavations but more importantly, my Portugal experience taught me skills necessary in life. A strong work ethic, respect for other cultures, and lasting friendships are some of the things that I left with from Portugal."
- Christine M.

Portugal: Rich Pasts & Vibrant Present

One of the oldest independent nations of Europe, Portugal has long been a land of dynamic cultural interaction. Phoenicians, Celts, Romans, Germanic tribes, and Islamic North Africans all left a lasting impact on this diverse, small country on the westernmost edge of Europe. Through its empire, Portugal influenced the entire modern world.

Located along the ecological transition between the Atlantic and Mediterranean zones, this region has incredibly diverse biological, geological and cultural resources in addition to a rich and well-preserved record of the human past.

The Town of Rio Maior

Since 2003, the Wake Forest University European Prehistory and Archaeological Field School has been based in Rio Maior, a small town of about 40,000 situated one hour north of the Portuguese capital city of Lisbon. Rio Maior is walkable and very safe for students, and its central location is ideal for excursions to all parts of Portugal. The district also contains a dense concentration of important archaeological sites, some of which are under investigation by the Wake Forest University field school.

Today’s Weather in Lisbon