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FULL FOR 2025
ARCHAEOLOGY AND MUSEUM STUDIES Roman villa of Santa Catarina de Sitimos
The Roman Villa of Santa Catarina de Sítimos is located in southwestern Portugal on the beautiful Alentejo coast outside the small and picturesque town of Alcácer do Sal. This Roman villa is named for the village that grew above its ruins. It was one of the rural settlements surrounding the Roman city Salacia Imperatoria Urbs, the capital of the civitas mentioned by classical historians Pliny and Strabo for its high-end textiles, quality soil, and mine extraction. This part of Roman Lusitania also supplied the salt to Troia, the largest center of fish-salting industry known in the Roman Empire. Now called Alcacer do Sol (or salt fortress), the area provided the salt needed for the large-scale production of salted fish and sauces such as the famous garum. Alcacer was an important settlement prior to the Roman conquest, especially during the Iron Age. The nearby settlement of Beuipo, for example, is the only Phoenician colony ever excavated in Portugal. Taking advantage of this incredible location, participants in this program will form part of the ongoing research project. The Museum of Alcacer and its archaeological crypt will be our base for the immersion in Museum Studies. |
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A Roman villa consisted of three main areas: the pars urbana – the main residence, the pars fructuaria – the area for land exploitation, and the pars rustica – quarters for slaves and laborers. Archaeologists have excavated only a portion of the Roman Villa of Santa Catarina de Sitimos, uncovering a large pool in the baths and a production building connected to a cellar. There is still a lot to be found, of course, but the materials and masonry already discovered suggest the site has potential to be a major archaeological site. The excavation of another Roman villa in the vicinity, the so-called Centaurs Villa due to a centaur mosaic found, unique in Lusitania province and rare in the Roman Empire, is a good example of the extravagant villas built in this territory.
The archaeological work so far has uncovered artifacts dating from the Early Empire to the Late Antiquity periods, such as pottery, glass, metal, coins, and one uncommon find, a solar quadrant, a type of clock. After the owners abandoned the villa, later cultures moved in, evident from some remains from Spain's Islamic period. The current village was founded after the Christian kingdoms took control in 1217, building a chapel in honor of Our Lady of Santa Catarina.
Participants will learn field methodology and the different practical approaches as the work progresses. They will be the archaeologists on site, and, with the proper supervision, they will learn to use different tools, create a field journal, take measurements for mapping, clean and draw the finds, and fill out the forms for each stratigraphic unit.
Throughout the program, archaeologists will provide seminars that focus on specific aspects of the archaeological process, such as pottery analysis, restoration and conservation, stratigraphy, and archaeological illustration.
English and Portuguese are the official languages of the program.
Throughout the program, archaeologists will provide seminars that focus on specific aspects of the archaeological process, such as pottery analysis, restoration and conservation, stratigraphy, and archaeological illustration.
English and Portuguese are the official languages of the program.
Seminars and Workshops
- Roman Archaeology in the Lower Sado Region
- Stratigraphy and Onsite Journaling
- The Roman Villa
- Archaeological Sites as Open-air Museums
- From the Field to the Lab: Inventory and Storage of Archaeological Materials
- Accessibility and Inclusion in Cultural Heritage
- Museums and Communication
- Enhancing a Roman Villa workshop - Hands-on experience designing informational panels for visitors to the archaeological site of Santa Catarina de Sítimos
- Roman Archaeology in the Lower Sado Region
- Stratigraphy and Onsite Journaling
- The Roman Villa
- Archaeological Sites as Open-air Museums
- From the Field to the Lab: Inventory and Storage of Archaeological Materials
- Accessibility and Inclusion in Cultural Heritage
- Museums and Communication
- Enhancing a Roman Villa workshop - Hands-on experience designing informational panels for visitors to the archaeological site of Santa Catarina de Sítimos
excavation
This archaeological site was discovered in 1977 during construction work to widen a road in the village. Nearly 10 years later, municipal archaeologist João Carlos Faria began the first archaeological project to understand the Roman remains. His excavation in the pars fructuaria uncovered a series of interconnected basins, which was enough evidence of organized production that it allowed him to create an archaeological reserve that prevents development in the area.
By 1989 Faria mapped the perimeter of the Roman villa. In 2006 the cultural council of Alcácer do Sal sponsored the excavation of the basins under the direction of António Carvalho and Rita Balona. One year later, Carvalho began the excavation of the baths, unearthing the staircase to the large swimming pool (natatio) with walls lined with opus signinum.
By 1989 Faria mapped the perimeter of the Roman villa. In 2006 the cultural council of Alcácer do Sal sponsored the excavation of the basins under the direction of António Carvalho and Rita Balona. One year later, Carvalho began the excavation of the baths, unearthing the staircase to the large swimming pool (natatio) with walls lined with opus signinum.
Balona, now part of the municipal archaeological department under Marisol Ferreira, in 2016 excavated an 18m long, 2m wide test trench between the exposed area of the natatio and the modern community center and elementary school. This trench was designed to survey the area for the renovation of the modern plumbing system and to identify the western edge of the pool. The work found that the natatio measured 20m in length and 8.3m in width, one of the largest pools in a Lusitanian Roman villa.
In 2017, Balona directed the complete mapping of the villa's visible structures. In 2019, private company Era – Arqueologia completed a geophysical survey of the site.
The excavated area so far includes two buildings, baths, and a production building connected with a cellar, but also includes artifacts and structures from a post-Roman settlement that has yet to be defined.
In 2022, archaeologist Ana Patrícia Magalhães featured this site in her Ph.D. dissertation about the Lower Sado Harbor Roman Complex to verify the villa's chronology and better characterize the settlements around the Roman city of Salacia.
The excavated area so far includes two buildings, baths, and a production building connected with a cellar, but also includes artifacts and structures from a post-Roman settlement that has yet to be defined.
In 2022, archaeologist Ana Patrícia Magalhães featured this site in her Ph.D. dissertation about the Lower Sado Harbor Roman Complex to verify the villa's chronology and better characterize the settlements around the Roman city of Salacia.
Goals for 2025:
In 2024, ArchaeoSpain, the Alcácer do Sal archaeological department, and archaeologists Sónia Bombico and Ana Patrícia Magalhães, joined forces to launch a new project at the site with an Archaeology & Museum Studies Field School. The objective was to continue the excavation of the baths and the production building. In 2025 we will continue investigating the bath house and the basins in the production area. New trenches will be dug to identify the area around the domus, the main house.
This archaeological excavation and field school form part of the Santa Catarina de Sítimos Safeguarding Project. Students will actively participate in the visitor development of this site through the Enhancing a Roman Villa workshop, which last year focused on designing informational panels.
In 2024, ArchaeoSpain, the Alcácer do Sal archaeological department, and archaeologists Sónia Bombico and Ana Patrícia Magalhães, joined forces to launch a new project at the site with an Archaeology & Museum Studies Field School. The objective was to continue the excavation of the baths and the production building. In 2025 we will continue investigating the bath house and the basins in the production area. New trenches will be dug to identify the area around the domus, the main house.
This archaeological excavation and field school form part of the Santa Catarina de Sítimos Safeguarding Project. Students will actively participate in the visitor development of this site through the Enhancing a Roman Villa workshop, which last year focused on designing informational panels.
accommodation
Alcácer do Sal is one of the oldest towns in Europe and has played an important role since the Iron Age: pre-Roman, Roman, Moorish, and later as a center for the Santiago Military Order after the northern kingdoms conquered the region. The town has a population of around 11,000 people and preserves the historical atmosphere with the traditional white and blue houses from the Alentejo region.
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The group will stay in the Monte Penedo do Chibato villa located in the nearby village of Montemor-o-Novo, which has shopping, coffee shops, and supermarkets. Our villa is a beautiful country home with a private swimming pool. The praia da Comporta, the fanciest beach in Portugal, is only a 20-minute drive from Alcácer do Sal!
We will eat breakfast in our villa. Lunch will be next to the work site in the community center, where we will do our afternoon lab work and workshops. We will eat a catered dinner at our villa.
You will also have the opportunity to try local food at the restaurants and enjoy the summer nights in town. Traditional Portuguese villages are very welcoming so expect to be noticed!
We will eat breakfast in our villa. Lunch will be next to the work site in the community center, where we will do our afternoon lab work and workshops. We will eat a catered dinner at our villa.
You will also have the opportunity to try local food at the restaurants and enjoy the summer nights in town. Traditional Portuguese villages are very welcoming so expect to be noticed!
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Alcácer do Sal has plenty of pharmacies and a health clinic that is open 24 hours. There are two hospitals around 40 minutes away. Lisbon is around an hour's drive from us.
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Daily Schedule
6:00 am Breakfast 7:00 am Excavation 10:00 am Snack break 10:30 am Excavation 12:30 pm Lunch 2:00 pm Lab/Workshops 5:00 pm Free time 8:00 pm Dinner |
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dates & fees
Program Dates 2025: August 4-22 Full for 2025
Fee: US$ 3,150
Program Fees Include:
Full room and board (except lunch during excursions)
Fieldwork training
Excursions and other activities
Transportation to and from airport on first and last days of the program
Daily transport to the site
Medical Insurance
Application fee
Administrative costs
Certificate for 120 hours
Part of your fee will go toward the research project.
Fees DO NOT include airfare.
Fee: US$ 3,150
Program Fees Include:
Full room and board (except lunch during excursions)
Fieldwork training
Excursions and other activities
Transportation to and from airport on first and last days of the program
Daily transport to the site
Medical Insurance
Application fee
Administrative costs
Certificate for 120 hours
Part of your fee will go toward the research project.
Fees DO NOT include airfare.
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PAYMENT PROCESS:
To reserve a space, you must pay a $400 application deposit (included in the price of the program). The remainder of the program fee will be due as soon as the program is full, and you will be notified in advance. Application fees will be refunded if the applicant is not selected. Application Deadline: Rolling application. We accept applications until all spaces are filled. Cancellation and Refund Policy: -Before March 1st: All payments, except for $100 from the application deposit, are refundable. -Between March 1st and April 1st: Application fee non-refundable. The remaining balance is refundable. -After April 1st: All payments are non-refundable unless your application is rejected by the program director. |
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Travel Arrangements:
You can start making travel arrangements as soon as your place in the group is reserved, but you should not complete them until being notified of your selection. We strongly recommend that participants purchase travel insurance to cover all needs including medical, accident, baggage loss, delays and personal liability. ArchaeoSpain is not a travel provider nor is a registered travel agent. Your travel arrangements to and from Portugal are subject to the terms and conditions of your travel agency. In the rare event that the program is cancelled, ArchaeoSpain will refund program fees, but is not responsible for non-refundable airline or other tickets or payments or any similar penalties that may be incurred. It is your responsibility to protect yourself against airline and travel agency cancellation fees
You can start making travel arrangements as soon as your place in the group is reserved, but you should not complete them until being notified of your selection. We strongly recommend that participants purchase travel insurance to cover all needs including medical, accident, baggage loss, delays and personal liability. ArchaeoSpain is not a travel provider nor is a registered travel agent. Your travel arrangements to and from Portugal are subject to the terms and conditions of your travel agency. In the rare event that the program is cancelled, ArchaeoSpain will refund program fees, but is not responsible for non-refundable airline or other tickets or payments or any similar penalties that may be incurred. It is your responsibility to protect yourself against airline and travel agency cancellation fees
Medical Insurance:
All ArchaeoSpain participants are covered with an insurance packet that provides medical, surgical treatment, and prescription drugs in case of accident or sudden illness. With your program packet we will send you more details regarding this coverage, but you may contact our staff for more information.
European students should bring an EHIC card with them.
Right of Refusal:
ArchaeoSpain reserves the right to refuse an applicant. This is a rare occurrence and is most likely due to a person’s inability to meet health requirements or in the interest of group compatibility. Once in the field, the program director and ArchaeoSpain reserve the right to send a participant away from the program should that person’s behavior compromise the safety, research objectives, or general performance of the group, or violate Portuguese laws, regulations or customs.
the staff
SITE DIRECTORS
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Sonia Bombico
Auxiliary researcher and lecturer at the University of Évora, where she earned a Ph.D. in History and Archaeology. Her research focuses on Roman archaeology (food production and trade) and the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean region. She has been an archaeologist since 2005 and has directed several archaeological projects. Since 2022, she has been deputy director of CIDEHUS (Interdisciplinary Center for History, Culture and Societies), one of the research units at the University of Évora. |
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Ana Patrícia M. Magalhães
Archaeologist and researcher at the Center for Classical and Humanistic Studies at the University of Coimbra (CECH). She has published more than 60 articles on Roman archaeology, Roman production activities, cultural management and visitor development. She has a long career in field work and also helps runs a field school at the Roman ruins of Tróia, the largest fish-salting center in the Roman Empire. |
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PROGRAM LEADER
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Catalina Uquijo Álvarez de Toledo
Catalina has been an archaeologist for over 25 years and has directed more than 20 archaeological excavations ranging from the Bronze Age to Medieval times. She has taught numerous academic courses and organized many archaeological exhibitions. She has published several books and scientific articles. After a long career teaching field archaeology, she now leads ArchaeoSpain alongside Dr. Dionisio Urbina. |
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excursions
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Boat Trip and Roman Tróia Discover the River Sado in an old-fashioned salt farming boat. Just like the Romans did, we depart from Alcácer do Sal. We will see the pottery workshops used to make amphorae and other vessels by the river, and be amazed by the beautiful landscape. At Tróia we will eat at the modern marina and enjoy some shopping and sightseeing before we head to the Roman ruins. |
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Setubal
Setúbal is known to be a city of good fish, especially sardines! We will visit the Fortress of S. Luís and enjoy the city center, with time for some shopping or a movie.
Setúbal is known to be a city of good fish, especially sardines! We will visit the Fortress of S. Luís and enjoy the city center, with time for some shopping or a movie.
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the 2023 World Travel Awards voted it the best city to visit. We will explore the Sao Jorge Castle and the Roman theater as a group, but you will have the afternoon to yourselves for shopping, museums, and the rest of the city.
We will meet in the afternoon at the Fábrica da Nata bakery to taste the city's most-famous pastry, Pastéis de Nata, and then return to our villa in Alcácer do Sal.
We will meet in the afternoon at the Fábrica da Nata bakery to taste the city's most-famous pastry, Pastéis de Nata, and then return to our villa in Alcácer do Sal.
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Alcácer do Sal - Pedro Nunes Archaeological Museum and city center.
Archaeological crypt, the clock tower, and the Roman forum.
Archaeological crypt, the clock tower, and the Roman forum.
Comporta Village and Beach
Comporta is the fanciest beach village in Portugal so expect some luxury shops combined with the typical blue and white Alentejo houses. We will visit the rice museum and walk around the village, and we will have a picnic on the beach.
Comporta is the fanciest beach village in Portugal so expect some luxury shops combined with the typical blue and white Alentejo houses. We will visit the rice museum and walk around the village, and we will have a picnic on the beach.
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