PROGRAM
OVERVIEW
The University of Valladolid’s archaeological team at the Celtic-Iron Age necropolis and Roman settlement of Pintia has chosen ArchaeoSpain to organize international student crews to join its team this summer.
The excavation focuses on the Vaccean necropolis. The Vaccean culture was an Iron Age people with Celtic links that settled in north-central Spain around the 5th century BC. The cemetery, located about 300 meters (984 feet) from the main settlement, was used between the 4th century BC and the 1st century. Up to 2004, archaeologists had uncovered about 70 cremation tombs. In 2005 the crew opened a new area and found the first eight of a series of 35 new burials in excellent condition – most of them belonging to warriors and featuring a bounty of war-related artifacts. Research in this area of the site is helping investigators understand better the social organization of these pre-Roman peoples.
In 2007 the teams uncovered 25 cremation tombs, the majority belonging to women and children from the 2nd century BC. And of the 300 funerary artifacts found, about 100 came from a single burial of two girls. Last year we unearthed around two dozen more tombs containing warriors, women and children. Our most important find was Tomb #153 and its 115 grave goods, including some unique ceramic copies of jewelry. This year we will be opening more ground in the necropolis.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE COVER STORY ON PINTIA IN 'CURRENT WORLD ARCHAEOLOGY' MAGAZINE
The university will clear the site in May of any vegetation and topsoil
that may have accumulated over the winter. When the first international
team arrives in June, the necropolis will be ready for excavation.
Participants are expected to contribute to all aspects of the project, including excavation, mapping, photography, and artifact conservation, cataloguing and exhibition.
In addition to the excavation and lab work, there will be a number of seminars and workshops related to the fieldwork. All the information will be in both Spanish and English.
Do not worry if you do not speak Spanish because it is not a prerequisite to participate. Two bilingual archaeologists will guide you during your stay. Those that sign up, though, will be immersed in the language daily and we hope that they will take advantage of the program to improve their spoken Spanish. The summer heat and the physical nature of the excavation will make the work demanding, so participants should be in reasonable physical condition and in good health
But hard work always reaps its benefits once an archaeologist relaxes and reflects on the day's excavation. With this mantra in place, the group will make time several times each week to experience Spain away from the shovels and picks, either by visiting a café bar or by touring several nearby Roman and Medieval sites of interest.
In cooperation with students' universities, the University of Valladolid will offer academic credit. Click here to learn more about receiving credit.
PLEASE NOTE that the partnership between the University of Valladolid and ArchaeoSpain means that ArchaeoSpain will handle all logistical and administrative efforts prior to the excavation. Once at Pintia, the university is responsible for everything else, including the fieldwork, seminars, workshops, bilingual team leaders, room and board, and excursions.