Acropoli of Populonia Archaeological Field School

Language: English

Period: 19-31 May 2025 and 2-13 June 2025

Deadline: 4 April 2025

Program Intensity: Full-time

ECTS: 6

Tuition fees: 1000€

Other costs: 1000€

This Archaeology Summer School takes place in the scenic medieval castle of Populonia, overlooking the Gulf of Baratti and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. Once a prominent Etruscan and Roman city, the site is located in the heart of Tuscany, near Florence, Pisa, and Siena, within the Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia.

Each session features hands-on fieeldwork in archaeological excavation, creation of scientific documentation (graphic, photographic, and written), and a ceramics workshop using finds from the excavations.
Lectures cover topics such as stratigraphy, the historical and cultural context of the site, material culture, and include educational visits to local museums and archaeological sites.
All activities are led by professional staff involved in the University of Pisa’s ongoing investigations on the Acropolis of Populonia, with participation from Italian students to foster collaboration and exchange.
At the conclusion of the program, participants will complete a final assessment on the knowledge and skills acquired, which will contribute to their overall evaluation.

Participants will stay in a guesthouse managed by the Ministry of Culture within the Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia.
The guesthouse is equipped with a kitchen, shared bedrooms and bathrooms, and laundry facilities. Food will be provided via grocery deliveries, with participants responsible for preparing their own meals. Participants should provide a certificate or self-declaration of any food allergies or intolerances.

Participant’s personal requirements and mandatory equipment (each participant must provide independently):

  • Tetanus vaccination certificate
  • Medical certificate of good health or fitness for work
  • Safety clothing, including reinforced-toe safety shoes and durable work trousers (long trousers)
  • Personal trowel and work gloves (optional)

The Summer School will be held on campus in Località Baratti, Piombino (Livorno), at Parco Archeologico di Baratti e Populonia.

The aim of Summer School is the acquisition of knowledge on archaeological research in the study of the ancient world, practicing the stratigraphy method and the drafting of scientific documentation in the field.
Our scientific goal is to gather archaeological data on Roman structures located on the Acropolis hill of the ancient Etruscan and Roman city of Populonia.
The site holds significant archaeological interest, featuring cultural artifacts from the Iron Age settlement of Fufluna/Pupluna, Roman walls on the Acropolis, temples, and other structures. Systematic research has been ongoing since the 1980s, with investigations in the sacred area revealing at least three temples surrounding the Roman forum. Recently, the University of Pisa uncovered a Roman thermal bath complex in the area.

Bachelor’s and Master’s students, PhD candidates, research fellows, and professionals in relevant fields.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to to be either Bachelor’s/Master’s students or PhD candidates or research fellows or professionals in relevant fields.

Important notice:

  • Each session of the Summer School will be activated with at least 4 students.
  • The maximum number of participants is set to 10 students per session.

Required documents

  • Identity Document (PASSPORT in case you are a foreign student).
  • Enrolment Form.
  • Curriculum Vitae (European Format).
  • Short biography including field of study and research interests.
  • Proof of tetanus vaccination.
  • Medical certificate of good health or fitness to work.
  • Certificate or self-declaration of any food allergies or intolerances.

All the documents must be in pdf format, in order to upload them on the portal when required.

Application has to be submitted via Alice portal following the instructions of the “How to apply” page.

Tuition fees: 1000€

Other costs: 1000€ (for accomodation, food/meals, transportation to and from the Summer School site (on arrival/departure days) and to and from the excavation site (daily), excavation management costs)

Pay fees by Debit/Credit Card or PayPal online using the following: Payment Form.

Notice: 

  • The 1000€ of the tuition fees include also the supply of basic DPI such as  work gloves, masks, protective glasses.
  • International students without Italian Tax Code: please tick the box ‘Anonymous’ in order to disable the field ‘Italian personal ID/VAT number’.
  • Please type your NAME and SURNAME next to the pre-filled text of the field ‘Reason’.
  • Please pay only after receiving the admission letter.
  • Both tuition fees (1.000 euro) and accomodation costs (1.000 euro) are included in the total amount.

Refund policy:

  • By 19 April 2025 (included) a 50% of the fees already paid will be refunded for proven and serious family and/or health reasons. The reasons and supporting documents related to refund requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
  • After 19 April 2025 there will be no refund of the paid tution fees.

Contacts

Scientific Coordinator

Prof. Fabio Fabiani

fabio.fabiani@unipi.it

Operational Manager

Dr. Helga Maiorana

helga.maiorana@phd.unipi.it

Summer/Winter School Office

support.summerschool@unipi.it