Location: Ascoli Satriano, Foggia (Italy)

Season dates: October 25, 2010 – November 27, 2010

Application Deadline: August 31, 2010.

Program Type: Fieldschool

Affiliation: University of Foggia (Italy)

Project Director: Giuliano Volpe and Roberto Goffredo (University of Foggia)

Description

The Project aims to investigate the transformation of human landscapes in the Carapelle River valley, located in the northern part of the Italian region of Apulia, from the Late Iron Age (7^th- 5^th  centuries B.C.) to the 14^th century A.D.

The valley lies between the pre-Roman centres of Ausculum (now Ascoli Satriano) and Herdonia (now Ordona). These settlements came under Roman control in 318 B.C.,, later becoming municipia at the end of the Social War, and continued to be populated until the Middle Ages. The Carapelle Valley formed the backdrop for the long and complex history of ancient towns here. For this reason, we cannot separate evolution in rural settlement patterns in this valley from the historical events of these urban centres. Adding to archaeological interest here are the recent excavations at the rural site of Faragola, situated in the valley, approximately 2-3 km from the modern city of Ascoli Satriano. This archaeological site, too, has a history stretching back millennia: its remains include a Daunian tribal settlement (4^th – 3^rd century BC), a farm of the early roman period (1^st century BC – 3^rd century AD), a large Late Roman villa (4^th – 6^th century AD) and an early medieval village (7^th – 8^th century AD).   

Three areas of the valley have been sampled and subjected to systematic archaeological survey between 2006 and 2007, revealing the remains of Neolithic villages, Daunian settlements, Roman villas and farms, and medieval houses. The exploration of the 2010 project will consist in infra-site analysis and magnetic survey on some sampled archaeological sites known by previous field walking or by aero-photographs:  

Students and volunteers will receive instruction in the techniques of archaeological field survey and documentation as well as hands-on experience working with materials and finds processing. Students will profit from working closely with experts in Italian field archaeology. Knowledge of Italian is not necessary. Week-end is free.

Periods of occupation: from the Late Iron Age to the Middle Ages 

Minimum age: 18

Experience required: No specific prior experience is required

Room and Board arrangements:

Students will stay in the town of Ascoli Satriano (25km south of the city of Foggia) at the “Hotel and Restaurant Medioevalys” (www.medioevalys.com). The accommodations are comfortable and  meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) will be provided by the Hotel.

There is not a fee for the field program: each participant will pay for his/her own costs of room and board directly to the Hotel.  

Cost for accommodation and meals (all included): euro 40 daily per person (students will be responsible for paying their own airline travel costs)

Contact Information:

Roberto Goffredo

Università di Foggia

Dipartimento di Scienze Umane

Via Arpi n. 155, 71100 Foggia (Italy)

r.goffredo@unifg.it

e.ficco@unifg.it