Program Overview
Plaza de Moros Field School offers participants the opportunity to combine both classroom and field archaeology. Every activity at Plaza de Moros is oriented towards practical archaeological methods, which is essential for those who are thinking about becoming professional archaeologists. The mornings will be devoted to fieldwork and during the afternoons the participants will attend the labs.
The excavation takes place at the site of Plaza de Moros, a five-minute drive from the town of Villatobas (in the province of Toledo) where the group will be living. Plaza de Moros is an Iron Age settlement fortified by walls that was occupied between the 4th and 2nd centuries B.C. In previous years, the field school has excavated part of the moat, the entrance and the living quarters. Because the inhabitants abandoned the settlement after a fire in the 2nd century B.C., scientists can accurately document the different deposits of artifacts left behind post-abandonment.
While
Spanish speaking ability is not a prerequisite or the goal of this program,
students will be immersed in the language daily – both in and out
of the site. The afternoon labs, however, will be taught in Spanish so some
elementary knowledge of the language is recommended. But imagine –
you will learn how to say “Harris Matrix” in Spanish. Work will
be demanding due to the summer heat and the physical nature of the archaeological
work, so participants should be in reasonable physical condition and in
good health.
And though labs and fieldwork fill most of the day, the group will make time to enjoy Spain and what it has to offer. Everyday after work we will have free access to Villatobas public swimming pool. Also, there will be an opportunity each evening after work to experience Spanish life away from the shovels and notebooks by relaxing at a café bar or visiting the town.
In cooperation with students' respective universities, this program will offer credits toward their majors and degrees.