Between 2007 and 2011, Dr. Fabio Colivicchi directed the Matera Excavation Project through the Department of Classics. This excavation project offered students an intensive introduction to archaeological methods and interpretation, including laboratory practice and field activities (excavation, survey, mapping) in ancient sites of South-East Italy. The classes and labs were held at Matera, while the sites under investigation were located near Taranto. The course, four- or six-weeks long, took place during May, June or July.
Course Program
An introductory week (classes on field archaeology, the history and archaeology of the area, drawing of ancient pottery and visits to sites and museums) in the city of Matera in the first week, and a daytrip to the main sites and museums of the area. The excavation team stayed at the Hostel Le Monacelle (hostel accommodation, but very convenient location and great view).
The team then moved on to the excavation site (Torre di Satriano), where they excavated a site of the native population of S Italy dating to the 6th-4th c. BC, with a blend of local culture and Greek influence and imports. You can find some slides and a text (in Italian) about the site here http://www.unibas.it/ssa/satriano.htm. Also see http://triacorda.blogspot.com/2010/01/6th-c-bce-palace-at-torre-di-satriano.html
There were also two more daytrips to archaeological sites (Pompeii/Herculaneum and Paestum) during the excavation period.
If you would like to learn more about this excavation project, please contact Dr. Fabio Colivicchi (colivicf@queensu.ca) at the Department of Classics.
