During Summer Quarter 2008 the Department of Anthropology will again offer a field school in Corsica (France). This field school is part of La Balagne Landscape Project, an interdisciplinary project aimed at understanding the social and environmental evolution of the landscapes in the northwest region of the island. The project is conducted in collaboration with members of the local university (Université Pascal Paoli of Corsica) and with members of the University of Winchester (UK). See the University of Winchester's web page about the project here.

La Balagne Landscape Project started officially in 2006. It represents the first large-scale systematic survey and paleo-environmental reconstruction project conducted on the island. While the Mediterranean has been the focus of many archaeological projects, Corsican archaeology is relatively unknown.

During this season we aim to complete geoarchaelogical borehole survey in the Etang de Crovani and to continue with our borehole survey of an infilled bay at the mouth of the Ostriconi valley. The latter has historically connected the interior of Corsica to La Balagne. Previous work at Etang de Crovani indicates that up to 13m of sediment dating from the Quaternary are preserved beneath the present ground surface. Radiocarbon dates obtained by a French palynologist (Maurice Reille) during his investigations of the top 2m of stratigraphy in the 1980s, suggest that a complete Holocene record can be expected (if so it would be the only complete record from a Mediterranean island). Our work in the Ostriconi valley in 2007 demonstrates that a complex of marine, intertidal and alluvial deposits outcrop below the present pasture that characterises the valley. By interpolating between the borehole records obtained in 2007 and 2008 we will be able to reconstruct the history of landscape development (especially sea level change) for this important part of La Balagne.

In the field survey, we will search for archaeological materials in two main areas of Balagne in 2008: the upper basin of Capo Bragajo (near Corbara) and the Fangu Valley (near the village of Manso). See the links on the interactive map below. The region near Manso is in the Fango Valley, a UN Biosphere Reserve. (See this link as well).

Amenities

Students and faculty will be housed at the Forestry Research Center of Piriu, a historic structure in the mountains of the Fango Valley. Approximately 12 students plus faculty and staff all live together. This center offers basic facilities (cooking, beds, hot showers (solar), toilets) and lab space.

{Piriu forestry station}

{A meeting in the Piriu dining room}

{Most meals are eaten outisde on the patio at Piriu}

Many meals will be prepared by students and researchers on the project. You don't need to be a good cook, though, as meals tend to be simple... salads, baguettes & cheese, a hot entree. About two days a week we will dine out at local cafes and restaurants.

Student Manual

See the draft of the student manual (4mb) to see more details about what field school life is like and what you will learn. Successful applicants will be given a copy of the manual in revised form before the fieldschool.

Course

ARCHY 270 – Field Course in Archaeology (12 quarter credits)

During this field school you will gain experience in several archaeology lab and field skills:

• Differential GPS mapping (Trimble ProXH)
• Surface Survey
• Basic GIS skills (ArcGIS 9.2)
• Aerial Photography interpretation & mapping
• Field Recording (Drawing, Photography)
• Sediment cores (using Troels-Smith system)
• Bore drilling (Eijelkamp petrol-powered)

The field school will include a series of afternoon lectures on archaeological surveying, principles of litho/biostratigraphy, Balanine paleoenvironments & Corsican prehistory. In addition, we have scheduled a weekend field excursion to visit other archaeological sites in the region. This year we plant to visit the northeast area of the island, perhaps including the Cap Corse area, prehistoric sites in the desert des Agriates, the Roman city of Aleria, and Corte, the original capital of the Corsican republic.

{Example of potsherd found in 2007}

Eligibility

Any UW student who has successfully completed ARCHY 205 is eligible. Non-UW students with a similar introductory archaeology class are also eligible. Students interested should download this form to apply. Based on eligibilty criteria, students will be pre-selected for an interview. Those that are finally selected will be notified by email and letter.

No prior French experience is necessary, although a willingness to learn will be highly beneficial, and there will opportunities to practice.

Application Deadline

Applications are due to the Program Director (Dr. Llobera) by March 1. Applications can be downloaded by clicking here. Completed applications may be delivered electronically or in printed form.

{Students examine a core in the Ostriconi Valley}

Financial Aid

Most forms of financial aid may be utilized for this program. UW students should contact UW Financial Aid to verify that their awards will apply. Non-UW students should contact the financial aid office at their home institution to inquire about financial aid for study abroad. Please reference http://ipe.washington.edu for further information about financial aid and scholarships.

Program Fees

UW Students

• $3300 program fee (for 12 credit hours) (subject to adjustment)
• $200 IPE fee
• Non-UW students (or non-matriculated students) may have an additional fee, contact us for details

Given the collaborative nature of the project, the number of available openings is restricted to SIX students from the U.S.

The total fees include instructional costs, program excursions, room and board. This amount does not include airfare, health insurance, or other personal expenses.

Program fees are paid in dollars; but most program expenses are paid in euros. The Archaeology Field School reserves the right to modify the program fee based upon dollar devaluation or severe inflation. If such a change occurs, students will be notified of the increase and an adjustment will be made to the final program payment.

Fees will be charged to students’ UW accounts and will be payable to UW Student Fiscal Services in the same way that tuition is paid.

Payment Schedule

• $350 non-refundable deposit due on receipt of contract
• $500 program fee payment due April 25
• Program fee balance and IPE fee due July 11

Withdrawal Policy

Students withdrawing from the program by May 30 will not be responsible for paying anything beyond the non-refundable $350 program deposit (and the non-UW student fee if applicable).

Any student withdrawing from the program after this deadline will be liable for any non-recoverable payments already made or committed on behalf of the participant, which could range up to the entire program fee. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing to both the International Programs and Exchanges Office and the Department of Anthropology.

Concurrent Enrollment & Pre-Departure Orientation

Students participating in this program must concurrently enroll in the UW during summer quarter 2008.  The Concurrent Enrollment form is available on-line at http://ipe.washington.edu/forms/.  In addition, all students arerequired to complete the IPE On-line Orientation prior to departure, available on-line
at http://ipe.washington.edu/domestic/online_orientation.html

Insurance

Students are strongly encouraged to maintain major medical insurance coverage (that covers them internationally) while participating in this program. Further insurance information can be found at http://ipe.washington.edu.

Further Information

Questions about the field school can be addressed to:

Program Director, Dr. Marcos Llobera (tel. 206.543. 5240, Anthropology, Box 353100, University of Washington email: mllobera (at) u.washington.edu) or

Jay Flaming, (Dept. of Anthropology, Box 353100, University of Washington, email: jflaming (at) u.washington.edu)