SURVIVORS' TALES
"Clunia
is for anyone who has the appetite to experience a different culture and
to broaden horizons on history, archaeology, art
and life. The people you meet and the places you visit will stay with you
for the rest of your life. Whether you are covered in dirt as you dig on
site or scaling the walls of a ruined castle on an excursion, undertaking
an excavation with ArchaeoSpain is the experience of a lifetime."
—Scott Vokes, Ohio State University
"At Clunia I learned that even the tiniest of archaeological objects can tell you a great deal about a site, and that even the least experienced archaeologist can grow with the help of a supportive team."
—Amy Cholerton, University of Nottingham
Read Amy's account of Clunia published in Archaeology Abroad
"At Clunia I learned more about archaeology than in all my years at school. There is no better way to learn about this kind of science than to experience it, and here I got the chance to have a hand in every aspect.
"And being on site, taking instructions in Spanish, trying
to chat with the locals in broken Spanish, the fiestas and meals... they
all submersed me into the new culture. Clunia is for people who will try
whatever is handed to them, whether it be the chance to pick at a wall,
try some new food, or dance in a toga and jump over a bonfire."
—Zach LeClair, Wheaton College
"My knowledge of Spanish history now covers a vast time-line, from excavating a Roman theater to seeing one of the few Visigothic structures in Spain, Europe's largest fortress, and a mass grave from the Spanish Civil War... On-site we learned that there is no sitting in archaeology, you shouldn't try to break rocks with a pickaxe, sound effects are very useful teaching tools, bones really do break easily, and dirt is everywhere."
—Rebecca Salem, Loyola University
"I really enjoyed being out in the field and removing from the ground fragments of pottery and column, finding coins, nails and odd bits of things. It was a rewarding process to be involved in the creation of historical knowledge. I will also never forget seeing the theatre for the first time. It was kind of emotional, standing in a place that is dormant but that had once seen so many things. It was also an amazing experience to be in Spain when they won the World Cup -- I was a proud pseudo-Spaniard."
—Yasmin Smith, University of Sydney
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"I
learned that archaeology can be good, hard and solid work, as well as great
fun and an interesting way to learn many new things. Clunia is for any fellow
archaeologists who are looking for an exciting experience to broaden their
horizons, and for anyone who is just looking for a thrill."
—Maria Badini, Bournemouth University
"The most important thing I learned about archaeology is communication and leadership, both of which I saw at Clunia. The ArchaeoSpain staff provided us with anything and everything so we could enjoy our experience to the fullest… I would recommend Clunia to those with an adventurous spirit and to those who are interested in a daily immersion into a foreign land. I hope to return to Clunia because of the wonderful time I had this past summer."
—Peter Quantock, University of Maryland
"Archaeology is hard work but definitely worth it when
you see
the pieces pull together to make sense. I would recommend the Clunia program
to anyone who wants an adventure and is willing to get their hands dirty."
—Sara Champlin, University of Rhode Island
"Learning
how to do section drawings and learning about the history of all the different
places we visited were my favorites. The staff were funny and brilliant,
but beware of their mischief."
—Chelsea Morgan, La Trobe University
"My favourite experience was discovering about the abundance of history in and around the local area. One activity that sticks out in my mind was Tiermes. The exploration of the Roman city and the city’s aqueduct was fascinating, and at night dressing up as a druid and partaking in a pagan ceremony while holding a torch and jumping through a fire was a hilarious experience which I won’t forget anytime soon!"
—Alex Harris, Bournemouth University
"I really enjoyed working in the field along with the Spanish archaeologists who had worked at the site for many years and would relate what we were doing not only to the Roman theater and town, but also to what had been excavated in previous years. I also liked the excursions because they allowed us to learn more about Spanish history beyond the Roman times. I think anybody interested in archaeology and willing to work, learn and adapt to a different way of life would enjoy Clunia very much."
—Laura King, Colorado College