Our commitment is to promote Archaeology in its different aspects of research, training, and conservation, with a basic and clear purpose: to involve anyone from around the world who wishes to gain access to this scientific field. Sanisera is an international archaeological organization whose main aim is that of promoting and developing research , so that our current and future generations can be enriched by culture and education in this field.

We are not only in Spain, but we also have courses in Greece, Portugal, France, UK, Croatia, Turkey and Italy. We offer students more than 25 courses that can enrich their CVs, validate university credits and get recommendation letters to enter the job market or get into prestigious scientific research centers.

Our work is focused on the archaeological study of ancient cities, anthropology, osteology, digging graves, conservation in archaeology, art, museums, excavate shipwrecks and submerged cities of ancient ports in the underwater school in archaeology, how to make a movie, learning GIS Software for archaeologists and discovering the most important monuments from Ancient civilizations such as Athens and Rome.

DIGGING GRAVES, OSTEOLOGY & ANTHROPOLOGY -COURSES 2015-:

008: Digging Anthropology in the Sanisera Necropolis Fieldwork focuses on the excavation of funerary structures, specifically inhumation graves. In the laboratory students will learn to classify artifacts found, mainly human skeletal remains. More information: http://archaeology.institute/008-anthropology-in-the-sanisera-necropolis.asp

010: Biological Anthropology and Dig in Sanisera This course focuses on the excavation and study of both the urban structures of the Roman city of Sanisera, where a monastery has been found and the excavation of inhumation tombs from the classical period. In the laboratory students will learn to classify artifacts found, including Roman pottery, numismatics human and faunal remains. This course is perfect if you are not sure what branch of archaeology most interests you because you will experience a wide range of archaeology. More information: http://archaeology.institute/010-biological-anthropology-and-dig-in-sanisera.asp

018: Advanced Osteological Analysis in the Roman Necropolis of Sanisera This course focuses on the in-depth analysis of human skeletal remains excavated from the Roman necropolis of Sanisera. In this course we will use advanced osteological techniques to gain a better understanding of the lifestyle of population of Sanisera. More information: http://archaeology.institute/018-advanced-osteological-analysis-in-the-roman-necropolis-of-sanisera.asp

General Information

The Sanisera Archaeology Institute for International Field Schools offers an annual archaeology dig on the island of Menorca, off the coast of Spain. Since then it has organized courses for students who come from all over the world to study abroad and who are interested in anthropology.

Death in Rome has been studied in Sanisera since we started digging the first necropolis in 2008. So far we have excavated 90 tombs belonging to a Roman cemetery which could have been related to a basilica in the Roman city if Sanisera, which dates from the 4th and 6th centuries AD. The Osteology corpus in this necropolis includes more than 232 individuals.

The fieldwork focuses on funerary structures, specifically inhumation graves. Students will also participate in lectures on skeletal anatomy and pathologies, classes, exercises and excursions related to the course material.

What you will learn

In the Fieldwork

How to dig and which archaeological techniques are used. Use and handling of the tools that are used during the excavation process. Basic principles of stratigraphy. Basic procedures for collecting C14 samples.

In the Laboratory

Cleaning, inventory and cataloging of recovered human bones during the excavation process. Basics of the methods used in human osteological analysis, including skeletal anatomy, palaeodemography and palaeopathology. Learning how to identify age, sex and height of buried individuals. Relative dating based on the classification of archaeological artifacts discovered in stratigraphic sequence.

Theory

Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Skeletal Anatomy –Terminology-: generalities, dental structure, skull and other bones. History, archaeology, economy and culture of the Roman civilization. Introduction to the History of the Sanisera Site. The background of Roman funerary rituals. Minorcan archaeology before the Roman conquest of the Balearic Islands.

Directed at

If you are interested in studying anthropology or are already doing so in your school and would like to gain experience as a fieldwork volunteer excavating cemeteries and graves, this may be the best choice for you. This program accommodates participants with or without previous experience.

In the necropolis of Sanisera, without much physical exertion, and due to the stratigraphic conditions, you easily find and excavate tombs and their contents. You will excavate tombs and learn anthropological techniques used to recover human remains and grave goods. In the biological anthropology laboratory, you will learn how to treat and classify bones and grave goods recovered from the necropolis.

This course is designed primarily for students interested in excavating human remains with fieldwork focusing on a Roman cemetery. Time dedicated to laboratory work is less than excavation time, but students will learn the basics of anatomy.

After completing this program, the experience gained will enable you to decide if biological anthropology is the area of study best for you and if you would like to continue on with anthropology in your professional future.

This is the most economical intensive biological anthropology course the Sanisera Field School offers. The excavation takes place on the northern coast of the island, surrounded by the sea and pristine Mediterranean landscapes.

Previous knowledge or experience in archaeology or computer systems is not required.

Student Testimonials

Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCQF1vZIp-w

Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mg46RhSt-s

Field School life & language

The fieldwork runs 7 hours a day with time dedicated to both excavations, the study of human osteology by the analysis of the skeletal remains and laboratory work on roman pottery. For every seven course days there are two days off.

Participants will learn and apply excavation techniques used in biological anthropology during fieldwork. In the laboratory, participants will follow guidelines set by an anthropologist and other specialists for the classification, study, and conservation of skeletal remains and other related material found.

Participants will also be given lectures on methodology, roman archaeology, human osteology and classification of archaeological materials. Participants will visit other archaeological sites on the island through organized excursions. The course is taught in English and Spanish.

Sessions & Cost

In 2015, 10 session, 20 days each Session #1 April 9 – April 28 $ 1,600 Session #2 May 01 – May 20 $ 1,600 Session #3 May 23 - June 11 $ 2,100 Session #4 June 14 – July 03 $ 2,300 Session #5 July 06 – July 25 $ 2,300 Session #6 July 28 - August 16 $ 2,300 Session #7 August 19 – September 07 $ 1,800 Session #8 September 10 - September 29 $ 1,500 Session #9 October 02 - October 21 $ 1,300 Session #10 October 24 – November 12 $ 1,300

Certificates

At the end of the Field Program, students will receive a certificate of participation stating the hours and activities of the course. Participants that perform exceedingly well in the course may receive a letter of recommendation from our organization upon request.

Spaces available

The course is limited to 8 participants per session. Reservations are only effective when payment of the registration fee is received. If for any reason the course is cancelled, payment is returned according to the field school refund policy.

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