Summer: Rutgers- Archaeological Field School in Italy (Undergraduate)
The Program
Dig up history...
The Rutgers University Archaeological Field School in Italy, in operation since 2012, is an experiential program that endeavors to teach undergraduate and graduate students methods in field-based archaeology, including excavation skills, recording techniques and conservation of materials. Visit the Rutgers University Archaeological Field School website for more information.
The Field School does the work of the Upper Sabina Tiberina Project, an archaeological dig site focused on the excavation and preservation of Roman villas (see below for more on the UST Project). In addition to hands-on field work, students will also attend lectures and receive assignments overseen by Rutgers faculty and faculty from various universities around the world (among them University of Tennessee, Brown University, University of Toronto, University of Edinburgh, Cambridge University, University of Siena).
Program Location
Italy
Rome (Vacone)
Vacone is a small medieval town (founded in the tenth century CE) located in the Sabina region of Italy. Only a 40 minute train ride from Rome, the town is rarely visited by tourists; however, those who do make the trip are often stunned by its natural beauty and simple charm. The surrounding is comprised of rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves.
Academics
To view the program’s 2020 syllabus, please click here. Please note this is a sample syllabus, its content is subject to change.
The program is designed to introduce students to a variety of conservation and preservation techniques while helping to significantly advance Rutgers faculty research for the Upper Sabina Tiberina Project. Our team’s ultimate aim is to assess archaeologically a select cluster of Roman villa sites in the Upper Sabina Tiberina area of Italy, focusing on the Republican and early Imperial period (third century BCE to third century CE) in order to investigate regional patterns of rural habitation and agricultural exploitation. The villa sites are situated in an area defined by the Tiber on the east, mountains separating the region from Umbria to the north and the Reatine valley to the East, and the edge of the Farfa river valley to the south (ca. 250 sq. miles).
The project seeks to substantiate archaeologically the point at which the historical characterization of the Sabina in the late Republic and early Empire is perceptible, providing evidence of agricultural intensification and subsequent economic development. To this end, we are excavating one villa site in the area (Vacone), while conducting geophysical surveys at other known villa locations. We also have seminars for students on digital recording (GIS, Photogrammetry, Digital Mapping) and osteology.
Undergraduate students receive 6 Rutgers credits upon completion of the program (see our website, or contact Prof. Farney at gfarney@rutgers.edu for what you can apply these credits toward). Internships on specific aspects of the program for 3 credits are possible and students interested in something like this should contact Prof. Farney (gfarney@rutgers.edu).
For more information about study abroad credit transfer, registration, and transcripts please visit the Academics section of our website.
Housing and Meals
Participants will live in an agriturismo (a hotel and restaurant on an active farm), called Le Colline, located very close to the Vacone villa site. Le Colline has rooms of two to four people, each with a separate bathroom. The agriturismo has internet access. All meals will be provided at the agriturismo for staff and students from Sunday dinner through Friday lunch as part of the program costs. Students will have to pay for their own meals at other times (Friday dinner through Sunday lunch).
Students will travel to Rome or other nearby locales on the weekends. On Friday afternoon, staff arrange for students to be taken to a nearby train-station (Poggio Mirteto) for a direct train into Rome (ca. 45 minutes); likewise, students are picked up on Sunday late afternoon from Poggio Mirteto back to the agriturismo. The exception will be the very last weekend when students will stay at the agriturismo until Sunday morning (the costs of which will be included in the program fees).
Financial Information
Program Costs
| NJ Resident | non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Cost | $6,300 | $6,930 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition
• Housing
• Most Meals
• Excursions
• Administrative Fees
• Emergency Medical Access Abroad
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,200 |
| Meals | $200 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $75 |
| Local Transportation | $75 |
| Personal Expenses | $300 |
| Total | $1,850.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Scholarships
Faculty Leader
Dr. Farney is an Associate Professor of History at Rutgers University-Newark, specializing in Roman history and archaeology. His research focuses on the political and material culture of the Roman Republic, as well as ancient Italic ethnic identity. He has operated several other study abroad programs for Rutgers and other universities.