Survivors' tales
"I was pretty much in the dark about basic archaeological methods
and instruments before working at the site. By the end, however, I had an
in-depth knowledge of the many techniques employed at an archaeological
site. In addition to learning the basic physical procedure of excavation,
we were taught how to survey the site, catalogue and sketch artifacts, and
recognize particular forms of pottery… My favorite learning experiences
concerned the gleaning of historical information from the archaeological
processes. By analyzing the position of wall remains and pottery shards
we were able to recreate the layout of the site during different time periods
and in doing so were able to look into the past…
"The most fascinating trips, however, would have to be those to such castles as Calatañazor, Atienza and Caracena, and the fortress at Gormáz. The medieval relics that I had been to in other European countries had been transformed into modern museums that charged you an entry fee and limited your exploration of the grounds. These castles in Spain remain seemingly untouched and provide windows into the past without the hassles of turnstiles and roped-off areas…
"I would definitely recommend the Tiermes program to anyone interested in archaeology or history, as well as anyone who is just curious about a foreign culture. Not only was it a great learning experience for those who lack an in-depth knowledge of archaeology, but it was a great way to experience the Spanish culture."
—Kenneth Seligson, Brown University, Tiermes 2006