Source
r/Archaeology•
Infinity_Wasted

Searching For Summer 2013 Field Schools! Help, Please?

hello, r/Archaeology. I'm looking for field schools in Scandinavia who accept student volunteers. specifically, I'd like to be in Sweden, if possible, but anywhere in Northern Europe is fine. I have previous dig experience from this past summer (and I'm sure I could get someone from the field school to write a letter vouching for me, if necessary), and I liked it so much that I decided I would like to do it next summer too. unfortunately, I don't really have a clue about where to begin searching (I tried various google inquiries, with varying amounts of success, but nothing ever actually had contact information), so I have come here. I am an American University student, but I am not, however, looking to do this for credit. I'm also already on study abroad in France, so arrival should be fairly easy, even feasible by train for certain locations.

so, can anyone here at least point me in the right direction, please?

Posted Jan 7, 2013, 12:14 PM UTC

317
GreenChile•

Pasthorizons has a list of field schools- http://www.pasthorizons.com/worldprojects/defaultSearch.asp

2
Infinity_WastedOP•

holy shit! this is exactly what I was hoping for! thank you so much! I found a similar website during a search I did last week, but the results were all for graduate students.. that kind of diminished my hopes, so thanks for restoring them!

1
AfterC•

www.shovelbums.org

Good luck!

1
ironunisykle•

I got the perfect one for you. I went to the first one last summer and it was amazing. It is taught by the leading historian and archaeologist of Gotland Island. Lemme know if you have any other questions. http://www.archaeological.org/fieldwork/afob/7080

1
Infinity_WastedOP•

yup. I've been looking at that one most. are there any others that happen in Northern Europe throughout the summer? Specifically, ones that are at least a few weeks long.

1
ironunisykle•

This is where I go for field school info. I know the UK is popular. Gotland is incredible though. Wish I could go again this year.

1
Infinity_WastedOP•

Gotland is where I'll most likely end up going, since it's actually in Sweden. I really want to go the UK, especially Ireland or Scotland (I apparently have family that originates from the area around Edinburgh), but I don't think I will have enough money for the UK, what with the Dollar-Pound exchange rate.. oh, but I can dream, and I shall one day!

1
ironunisykle•

Yea, Gotland was really perfect for me. It was in my price range and right after school. It wasnt too expensive there either, Exchange was slightly in our favor. I too am trying to get to the UK but I am doing my best to be patient. Let me know if you go? I am still in contact with the supervisor and I know one of the returning volunteers.

1
whitty2012•

I have spent the last 3 years digging over the summers in Finland at Kierikki. working on a Finnish stone age site there. You should drop them an e-mail if you are still interested in volunteering in Scandinavia. http://www.kierikki.fi/sivu/fi/kivikausi/

edit: I am a british archaeologist who just goes out there for the craic in the summers.

1
Infinity_WastedOP•

thank you very much! I'll look into this one as well. ultimately, it will come down to which one is the least expensive\I-think-will-give-the-best-experience.

1
Shizzzler•

Looking at the offered websites... these are all so expensive. As a master student in archaeology I'm sure I can contribute to many excavations, where my lack of experience can be compensated by the lack of payment. But paying hundreds of euro's to slave away?

So far I've been able to simply contact sites to find a place where I can get some experience in exchange for hard work (and where I even get free accomodation/gear). Am I the only one not paying?

Or am I missing something?

EDIT: So I'm guessing you're paying for actual courses - instead of getting 'joblike experience'?

1
Infinity_WastedOP•

yeah, field schools can be expensive as shit. the Gotland Field School in Sweden is the most cost-effective (in regards to time vs money) that I have seen so far. but yes, the idea is that you're essentially paying for your board, tuition, and supplies, all while gaining field experience that graduate schools want to see. when I did it last summer, I generally thought of it more along the lines of "I'm getting 6 credits to dig holes. nothing more." but that had more to do with how the on-site administration treated us students.

are you from the USA? in the states, a lot of Native American\Colonial sites can be dirt-cheap (~$700), or even free if it's sponsored by your home university; the same is sometimes true for smaller sites in South America too. I've even seen ones that will pay the students a small stipend for participation (but those tend to be the most difficult, often in extremely isolated areas). in europe, however, I've noticed that all the field schools are super expensive. I think it's simply because there are many, many more students applying than can be accepted.. so, from a financial perspective, why not offset the cost of running said field school to the students themselves?

but yes, I plan on asking if I can do it for free\reduced-cost in exchange for the labour. mostly because I already have experience, and I'm not doing this for the credits. I want to do another field school because I feel Archaeology doesn't have enough people willing to volunteer time in the field, where it's most needed, and it's a subject I am genuinely passionate about. but with that said, it would serve a selfish purpose too: extending my time abroad, and being something positive to put on a future resume for employment.

1
Shizzzler•

I'm from Belgium myself. And I wouldn't say $700 is dirt-cheap...

See here, where I started a topic after reading your story :)

1
Infinity_WastedOP•

you're right: $700 is not really cheap.. but I tend to think about it like this: $700 for approximately 5 weeks worth of board, food, and class\on-site training? seems alright to me.

2
Shizzzler•

Ah, for 5 weeks? That's affordable, yes.

1