Bronze Age Settlement- Slovakia
Dates: TBC
Number of UK participants: 8
Duration: 6 weeks
The Slovak/Hungarian border town of Sahy has been the location for Grampus archaeology placements since 2001. The initial focus of these excavations was the medieval monastery, where participants have gained invaluable experience of excavating a site with complex stratigraphy and where several medieval burials have been discovered, recorded and excavated. Although the focus of the placement has now changed to a Bronze-Age site on the outskirts of the town, the following reports will give applicants a good insight into the earlier monastic excavations in Sahy and the experiences of previous UK participants living and working in this part of Slovakia. The Leonardo da Vinci funding available for these placements will cover travel (return travel from an allocated UK airport), insurance, subsistence allowance (equal to three meals a day) and accommodation.
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2010 group
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Ceramic animal found in 2010
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Background
In 2006, a German contractor began construction of a clothing factory. During these works in the eastern area, a prehisotric settlement was disturbed and a trench for a gas pipeline uncovered a charcoal rich spread. As a result, our partners in Slovakia therefore moved the focus of the excavations from the monastery to the investigation of this incredibly important site. We are delighted to be able to offer the opportunity for UK archaeology students to join the Bronze-Age Hatvan Culture excavations at Sahy again in 2011.
The site is named Na Vrsku, which means "mound" and is located on a rise on the outskirts of Sahy that is well defended by natural terrain. The river Ipel lies to the west of the site, which is also where the sharp precipice that makes up part of the sites defense is. To the north and south of the site are much larger hills which also have archaeological evidence of activity dating to the Bronze Age.
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trench opened 2010
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site at end of 2010 season
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Fieldwork has been undertaken at the site since 2006 and has so far revealed industrial and domestic deposits. The site has so far been rich in finds, which include decorated pottery in a style that has identified the site as belonging to the Hatvan Culture. There have also been ceramic animal figurines found on the site, as well as spindles, whet stones, shells and bone.
The 2011 season was focused on the western half of the site, continuing in a trench that was started in 2008 and starting 2 trenches either side of that. The 2012 season outline and aims will be given to the students in the meeting with the site director.
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2011 students
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site in 2011
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Students will be working with a supervisor and the site director, Tibor Palinkas, who works for the Museum in Sahy. You will also be in contact with Ida Wollent, who is the partner at the Ipel Union.
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Animal Skeleton found in 2011
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Accommodation and Transport
As Sahy is located on the Slovak-Hungarian border, students will be flying to Budapest, where a taxi will take you to Ipelsky Sokolec.
Students and the supervisor will be staying in a house in Ipelsky Sokolec which is a 25 minute drive from site. The village has shops and bars as well as a restuarant which has a pool and tennis courts. The house has 2 bedrooms with 4 beds in each and is self catering. There are also shops in Sahy as well as a bar that has public computers. Transport will be provided in the form of a mini van which you will have use of in the evenings and weekends.
The weather in the past has been very hot, but site has been rained off as well, so come prepared for both rain and sunshine and make sure there is plenty of drinking water to hand.
Weekends
Weekends are free and there is use of the mini van so the group can go around and see some of Slovakia. Previous trips and activities that groups have been on include: Sturuvo, Bratislava, Budapest, cave visits, castle festival, Ipelsky Sokolecs Goulash festival. With the use of the van, it is advised that the group get out and about as much as possible to see as much as possible.
Read the report written by Helen cartwright, a participant on the bronze-age excavations in Sahy during summer 2006.
Read the report by Amy Cosgrove, 2011 participant
Grampus staff went to the site in June 2011 to test magnetometry in the area of the excavation. The 2011 EASE group took part in this survey. To read more, click here.
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NOTE: Participants on all of our placements will now require a European Health Insurance CARD (EHIC). CLICK HERE to visit the external website and apply for your EHIC online. |
