excavations courses application agenda team
SESSIONS DATES:

June 1 - June 14, 2009

June 15 - June 28, 2009

June 29 - July 12, 2009

This summer there will be 3 sessions available with minimum duration of stay two weeks. Everyone interested in spending more time must send a request to our e-mail. Taylor-made programs for groups and individuals are also available upon request.


Vratsata Archaeological Field Shcool Vratsata Archaeological Field Shcool Vratsata Archaeological Field Shcool Vratsata Archaeological Field Shcool Vratsata Archaeological Field Shcool


TENTATIVE TIMELINE for summer of 2009

day Activity
Before you leave Administer appropriate shots, get VISA, airplane tickets, passport
1st Arrival at Sofia airport! Accommodation at a hostel. Sightseeing in Sofia.
2nd Travel to Vratsa, accommodation.
Travel by train through the spectacular Iskar canyon. Accommodations in a hotel. Welcome activities. Introduction to the history and specifics of the site to be excavated. Visit to the site and presentation of the work activities.
3rd - 7th Fieldwork, lectures.
On-site work from 7,30 AM to 1,30 PM, lunch break. Lab work from 5 Pm to 7 PM.
- Introduction to the methods of onsite archaeological research - mapping, instruments used, etc.
- Practical participation in the archaeological excavations
- Documentation methods, photography.
- Work with finds – sorting, signing, statistics.
8th Day off. No activities are scheduled for this day. Some ad-hoc outings can be organized - visiting a pool, going on a picnic (ecopath).
9th A day trip
10th - 14th Excavations and work on the materials found.
15th Departure.
Accommodation and sightseeing in Sofia.
16th Transfer to Sofia airport. Departure from Sofia.



LOGING

Accommodation is provided by a hotel at town of Vratsa. Rooms are double and comfortable, with bathroom and WC. Transport to the archaeological site is organized. You do not need to bring any tents, sleeping bags or jungle equipment.

The meals include early morning breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food will be traditional Bulgarian. Any special needs concerning food will be taken into consideration in case they have been preliminary declared. In cases of field research (look at the the program) food will be packaged.

Your clothes should be comfortable and practical, suitable for physical and sport activities. You have to be prepared for hot and sunny weather (over 35 C), although any exception with cold and rainy summer is also possible.

FIELD TRIP

Vratsa

The Regional Historical Museum and Art Gallery in the Bulgarian town of Vratsa. In Museum exposition could be seen 165 vessels, which are part of the silver-golden Thracian treasure from the village of Rogozen, as well as the golden crown and a silver knee piece of a Thracian warrior from the Mogilan mound in Vratsa.

In the town of Vratsa you can visit the Meshchii towers and Kurtpashovi towers, built in XVII century as residential and defending towers. The towers are of great historical and architectural importance and they are announced to be cultural monuments with national importance.

Vratsata Archaeological Field School

Ledenika Cave

The Ledenika Cave is situated in close vicinity to the town of Vratsa . It offers a look to the underground world with its interesting forms, beautiful colors and an exciting trip in the dark.

Vratsata Archaeological Field School

Monastery of Cherepish

The Monastery Of Cherepish is one of the most remarkable Christian monuments in the Iskar defile. It is situated on the very riverbank and is surrounded by unscalable imposing rocks. It was the main center of the literary and the cultural life in the region for centuries on end.

At present day the monastery is a completed architectural complex, which includes a drawing-room, a school, the monastery kitchen (magernitsa), a chapel, residential and official buildings, storage and production workshops. The attractive location and the traditional architecture of the monastery offer to the visitor picturesque place for a rest.

Vratsata Archaeological Field School

Early-Christian Church in Ochindol

The village of Ochindol is 8 km away from the main road Sofia-Mezdra and is situated up in the mountains. It is small and picturesque and offers the visitor the quietness and charm of the authentic well-preserved rustic everyday life and traditions. Nowadays village is a successor of an important settlement, which existed throughout the Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. There is an Early-Christian church on the most elevated place in the village which offers a splendid panoramic view. The church has a unique architecture.

Vratsata Archaeological Field School