About the directors
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Catalina Urquijo
On my first excavation as a student I met Dionisio and since then we have shared a life of archaeology together. We started working in archaeology in the decades before the digital age, when archaeology as a career was new in Spain. Our path has not always been easy but it has always been exciting. We started our first field school in 1998, wanting to share our experiences with future archaeologists and with those passionate about rediscovering the past. We have met people of all ages from many different cultures, first at the Plaza de Moros field school, then at ArqueoExperiences in 2012, and now directing ArchaeoSpain. Over the years we have helped many students discover if their drive for archaeology would translate into a future career. For everyone, however, we strive to create unforgettable experiences. I have taught at the Nebrija University and the Alvaro Duran Center for Arts and Business. I have excavated many sites from different eras, all enriching and challenging. I have no doubt that the experiences and friendships made in the field are the things I enjoy most about my profession. |
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Dr. Dionisio Urbina
My first job was as a wine maker, perhaps my name had something to do with it. After some years traveling I started to study History and Archaeology. I wrote a thesis about Roman Talavera and a Ph.D. dissertation about Iron Age settlements in central Spain. I have worked as an archaeologist, researcher, and professor since 1990. I have led more than 50 excavations ranging from large Bronze Age settlements to medieval castles, including Iron Age, Roman and Visigothic sites: cities, villages, kilns, baths, military camps, farms… I have alternated picks and shovels with the pen. I have published many articles in academic journals, for conferences, and written a dozen books about the most important places I have excavated. Besides digging, researching, and writing, my other passion is teaching. I try to transmit what I have learned while teaching Cultural Management at Nebrija University and at the Alvaro Duran Center for Arts and Business, one of the most difficult challenges I have ever faced. I am currently a member of the Professional Association of Archaeology of Castilla-La Mancha. I am passionate about combining research and management, the implementation of theory to action and fact. I want everybody to understand what we do and how we do it. Many years ago I started an exciting project with Catalina (although not as exciting as sharing a life and having two children with her): the Plaza de Moros field school. An archaeological field school means teaching how to work, to see, and to understand. I continue this teaching today as the co-director of ArchaeoSpain. See more at: Academia.edu ResearchGate |
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The Origins
ArchaeoSpain was created in 2001 by a group of archaeologists and educators committed to furthering cultural exchange and experience in archaeology. Its goal has always been to provide opportunities for people from all over the world to engage in scientific research at important archaeological projects.
Not only do our students learn about archaeology, history, culture, and foreign languages, but they become active members of a research team that is contributing to historical knowledge with each archaeological season.
To date, more than 1,000 people from 27 countries and over 220 universities have joined our programs. Many of the students obtained academic credit at their universities for their participation.
Our digs have been featured in The New York Times, Archaeology magazine, The Guardian, Current World Archaeology Magazine, Madrider Mitteilungen, El Pais, and local papers throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
