FULL- Marsiliana d' Albegna Etruscan Settlement- Italy
Placement Dates: 30th August to 18th October 2010
Number of Participants: 6
Duration: 7 weeks
This is an exciting new opportunity for final year undergraduates and recent graduates from the UK to participate on an Etruscan excavation, as part of the Marsiliana d' Albegna Project in Tuscany, Italy. The excavation is directed by Professor Andrea Zifferero from the Department of Archaeology and History of Arts of the University of Siena (Laboratory of Etruscology and Italic Antiquities) and Etruria Nova, a non-for-profit association.
The Etruscan settlement of Marsiliana was brought to light in 1908 by Prince Tommaso Corsini, who successfully excavated more than one hundred pit graves with stone circles and tumuli in the area of Banditella, near the present-day district of Marsiliana. In 2002 the Department of Archaeology and History of Art of the University of Siena, in collaboration with the Council of Manciano and the Marsiliana Estate of Prince Corsini, initiated an archaeological research project to recommence investigation of the Etruscan settlemen. Fieldwork, under the direction of the Superintendent of Cultural Resources of Tuscany has continued for six seasons and has produced extensive scientific data which confirm the importance and vitality of the settlement, which was associated politically and economically with the Etruscan city of Vulci.
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Grave Circle "Brizzi 2" discovered during
an excavation at Piani di Perazzeta
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Casa delle Anfore in Poggio Alto: one of the rooms-
an ongoing excavation
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One major result has been the discovery of the residential area of Marsiliana, comprising Poggio del Castello, Uliveto di Banditella and part of Poggio di Macchiabuia, an area of 47 hectares. The project has also investigated a large tumulus in the Perazzeta plain, datable to the seventh or sixth century B.C. The grave goods from this tomb, which had not been disturbed, have been fully restored and are awaiting exhibition. Current excavations are concentrated on a burial site with a circular tomb on Poggio di Macchiabuia, dated to the eighth or seventh century B.C., and residential building of some 400 sq. m. dated to the sixth or fifth century B.C. A survey, to identify and catalogue habitation and burial sites is also continuing in the area around Marsiliana. In 2009 the University of Siena, while retaining overall direction of the project, transfered management of the logistics to the Association Etruria Nova, a non-profit organisation formed by graduates of the university and archaeological experts. The collaborative contract between Etruria Nova and the Department of Cultural Resources has led to the establishment of an International Archaeological Fieldschool, open to students and graduates (of both Italian and foreign universities) who intend to practice field archaeology, and also to volunteers interested in gaining experience in the area.
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Excavation part of the Masiliana d' Albegna Project
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Artefacts recovered from a Etruscan production
site and kiln located near the Albegna River
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Almost 100 people took part in the fieldschool in 2009, archaeologists
and volunteers from eighteen countries. This has been an exceptional formative
experience, increasing awareness of the guardianship of the heritage of
the province of Grosseto, and creating a firm foundation for the development
of both informed cultural tourism and further intensive research.
The 2010 fieldschool will commence from the 30th August to 18th October for the duration of 7 weeks and also includes classes in archaeology, educational activities and workshops run by professional archaeologists, as well as visits to archaeological sites and museums of Etruria. Marsiliana d'Albegna is in the district of Manciano, which is noted for rooms dedicated to prehistory in the Civic Archaeological Museum, and for the Etruscan site and spa at Saturnia.
Participants will be accommodated at the holiday farm house "Agriturismo La Speranza" situated at Marsiliana d'Albegna, in apartments with 4-5 bedrooms, a communal kitchen, bathroom, air-conditioning and heating. Facilities available at the farm house includes a swimming pool, tennis court and soccer ground. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be prepared by participants using fresh food furnished every 3 days by the staff: particular needs related to the participants will be of course fully considered. Staff from the host organisation will undertake car or van trips from/to the Albinia railway station at prefixed timetables, to the excavation sites, to the weekend trips in order to visit some archaeological sites of Southern Tuscany and Northern Latium and for special needs of participants (usually pharmacy).
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Self-catering Accommodation "Agriturismo
La Speranza" located at Marsiliana d'Albegna, Tuscany, Italy
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Although located in a rural setting, the farm house is in close proximity to the sea (approximately 30 minutes drive) and 25km from Saturnia hot springs and Maremma National Park. Participants will fly from a designated UK airport to Rome, where they will take a train (approximately 2 hours) to Albinia, Tuscany. Upon arrival the group will be met by the host partner at Albinia train station and taken to their accommodation in Marsiliana d'Albegna.
This placement is funded by the EU Leonardo da Vinci scheme and covers return flights, travel insurance, accommodation costs, the Etruria Nova card which provides participants with the annual insurance for eventual accidents on the archaeological site and a subsistence allowance (equal to three meals a day).
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Grampus Heritage and Training Limited Ashgill, Threapland, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 2EL, England Telephone: 016973 21516 Fax: 016973 23040 Email: enquiries@grampusheritage.co.uk |
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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. |
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Settlement Period |
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Copper Age |
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Stone Age |
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Bronze-Age |
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Roman Thermae & Thracian Cult Complex |
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Germany
Medieval |
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Etruscan
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Medieval Fortress
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Early Christian Basilica
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