The Cape Cavalleria Ecomuseum has scheduled this new course program in order to offer the students the possibility of getting an insight into the funerary practices developed in Ancient times in the Mediterranean.
 
Menorca is a perfect place in order to carry out this type of archaeological research projects, due to its strategic location in the centre of the Western basin of the Mediterranean Sea. With a rich historical heritage, the island was populated at a slow pace during the Bronze Age. The inhabitants of the island buried their dead in caves along with their personal items, following complex funerary rituals including the deposition of grave goods.

Romans first arrived on Menorca in the year 123 BC, when the Roman army conquered the Balearic Islands. For the following 600 years, Menorca was a part of the immense Roman Empire. On the island they founded three cities. One of those cities, Sanisera, was built around the port of Sanitja.

For 2012, this program will combine field work in a cave dating between 2000 and 1350 B.C., which is located on the northern coast of Menorca, and in one of the necropolis which surrounds the Roman city of Sanisera, dating between 123 B.C. and 550 A.C.
The excavation will be directed by Fernando Contreras, director of the Cape Cavalleria Ecomuseum, with the collaboration of specialists in physical anthropology, paleontology and conservation.  
The course runs 7 hours a day which is divided between excavation of the cave and the necropolis and laboratory work; study and conservation of the human remains and other materials recovered from the burial site. The fieldwork focuses on the spatial distribution of the individuals and the objects related to their rituals and grave goods. Students will also participate in lectures, classes, exercises and excursions related to the course material. For every seven course days there are two days off.

Participants will learn and apply excavation techniques used in physical anthropology when excavating the cave tombs. In the laboratory, participants will follow guidelines set by an anthropologist and other specialists for the classification, study, and conservation of human remains and other related material found. Participants will also be given lectures on methodology, roman archaeology, physical anthropology and classification of archaeological materials. Participants will visit other archaeological sites on the island through organized excursions. Courses are given in both English and Spanish.

Directed at: The course is open to any individual that would like to learn about archaeology. Although we do recommend a strong interest in physical anthropology, previous knowledge or experience is not required.

Directed at: The course is open to any individual that would like to learn about archaeology. Although we do recommend a strong interest in physical anthropology, previous knowledge or experience is not required.

Calendar 2012: 10 sessions (20 days each), from the 20th of April until the 22nd of November 2012.

Airfare not included.

Course fee includes:

• Course tuition.
• Accommodation in the Student Residency in Ciutadella. Two to six per room. Walking distance to the historic center, port and beaches.
• Daily transportation to/from the excavation site.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner in Ciutadella
• Morning snack at the Ecomuseum.
• Accident insurance at the site.
• Included excursions.
• Certificate of participation.

Spaces Available

The course is limited to 7 participants per session. Reservations are only effective when payment of the registration fee is received.


Certificates:

At the end of the course, 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, which will be important in order to participate in other international archaeological courses.  

Information and reservations:

Lana Johnson, Course Coordinator
Email: sanisera@arrakis.es or archaeology@ecomuseodecavalleria.com