For 2012, we will be excavating a cluster of Roman tombs belonging to a cemetery located on the outskirts of the Roman city of Sanisera that was occupied from 123 B.C. to A.D. 550. The excavation is directed by Fernando Contreras, director of the Ecomuseum of the Cape of Cavalleria with the collaboration of specialists in physical anthropology and conservation.

The course runs seven hours a day which is divided between excavation of the tombs and laboratory work, studying the human remains and other materials recovered during the excavation (The amount of time dedicated to lab work may vary each session depending on the state of the tombs excavated, i.e. how many individuals per tomb, etc.). Students will also participate in lectures, classes, exercises and excursion.

Participants will learn and apply excavation techniques used in physical anthropology when excavating tombs. In the laboratory, participants will follow guidelines set by an anthropologist and other specialist for the classification, study, and conservation of human remains and other related material found. Participants will also be given lectures on methodology, roman archaeology, physical anthropology, and conservation of archaeological materials. Participants will visit other archaeological sites on the island through organized excursions. Courses are given in both English and Spanish.

The Romans first arrived on Menorca in the year 123 B.C. when the Roman army conquered the Balearic islands. For 600 years more, Menorca would form a part of the immense Roman empire. On the island, the Romans formed three cities. Of those cities, Sanisera (our archaeological site) was built around the port of Sanitja in the northernmost part of the island. 

For information please visit www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com or contact me (Lana Johnson) at sanisera@arrakis.es