2023 Archaeological Field School Project 'U Mari
About Project 'U Mari
Project 'U Mari (“the sea” in local Sicilian dialect) explores the maritime heritage of southeast Sicily, examining millennia of maritime life and connections across the Mediterranean from a key vantage point between west and east, south and north. Participants will work on one or more of the broad project’s key initiatives: conservation and analysis of artifacts from shipwrecks in the area, archaeological investigations at the ancient fishing town of Vendicari, survey and excavation of a shipwreck in Vendicari’s port, 3D scanning and archival documentation of the material culture and traditions of 2500 years of tuna fishing, among others. These efforts serve not only to promote new research into historical livelihoods along the sea, but guide our consideration into how best to preserve and present a diverse maritime past through exhibits and other forms of public engagement.
Undergraduate Field School
The focus of Project ‘U Mari for field school students is:
- Archaeological survey and excavation on land
- Underwater archaeological investigations
- Study of archaeological finds
- 3-D documentation of heritage
- Public engagement and preservation of the past
In 2023, prospective Project ‘U Mari field school participants will have an option to specify in their application if they wish to be considered for a diving or a non-diving role.
On site
Field training for students is divided into several major components, of which each student may participate in several: training as archaeological divers and underwater work on site, methods of survey and excavation on land, finds and conservation work in the lab, and 3D and other methods of heritage documentation and museum work.
Field training for diving students will initially focus on the development of skills for archaeology underwater; this training will allow participation in the survey and excavation of shipwreck sites and artifact assemblages in tandem with the methodologies of conservation and recording of waterlogged objects. Field training for students wishing to work on land will focus on practical methodological skills for both survey and excavation, allowing them to participate in the new investigations of an ancient port settlement and the processing and analysis of finds.
Students will generally spend part of their training in the field, on land or underwater, and part on heritage documentation or museum development. Students will also play a major role in the work we do with objects back in the museum and lab: not only conservation, 3D documentation, and study of finds, but leveraging these materials to help implement new research, exhibit, and heritage management strategies. Students will also have opportunities to play a role in smaller-team fieldwork that focuses on more recent heritage associated with traditional fishing and contemporary refugee journeys.
All students should expect to work Monday-Saturday for the entire six-week field school, participating each day in fieldwork, artifact documentation, research, and conservation in the lab. To broaden and deepen student engagement with this material culture, the project organizes discussions, talks, and demonstrations by staff and visiting scholars. Students are encouraged to hone and develop their research interests through their work in Sicily, and students in the past have used the field school as the first step toward pursuing a research program and specialty in consultation with Stanford faculty, graduate students, and professional archaeologists from around the world.
A day in the life of archaeology in southeast Sicily
Emma Charity (‘25), a 2022 field school participant Project ‘U Mari, writes about her experience conducting archaeological work in southeast Sicily:
Our days in Sicily were long, but well-paced and extremely fulfilling. We woke up around 6:30 for breakfast at 7. After a brief team meeting, the dive team (myself included) would head to the dive shop. We set up our equipment and headed out to dive. The boat ride was my favorite part of the day: the salty Sicilian breeze in the morning, views of the gorgeous beach, and many laughs. Some days we would survey new areas and other days we would work on an excavation.
After the dive, it's lunch and dive log time. We met about finds on the dive and wrote them in detail on our dive logs. Mateo's restaurant makes amazing pastas and salads. It was always a pleasant surprise to see what the folks at his restaurant whipped up. Jasmine, dive assistant and amazing waitress, was always a warm smile to see at lunch. Shout out Jasmine! After lunch we had a two-hour siesta. This break helped me pace out my day and maintain my personal health and balance. Some days I would get gelato with other students, other times just take a nap.
In the afternoons, I would work on the excavation project of the boat that carried displaced people across the Mediterranean. This project was difficult some days but had so much purpose and really changed my relationship with human rights work. We documented items and added them to a catalogue for further research. After our afternoon projects, we showered and met up for a team dinner around 8. I had a great time in Sicily and made long lasting connections and friendships!
- Archaeological survey and excavation on land
- Study of archaeolical finds
- Underwater archaeological investigations
- 3-D documentation of heritage
- Public Engagement and preservation of the past
Field school dates: June 18 - July 29, 2023.
Note: The Stanford Archaeology Center plans to offer the Project 'U Mari Field School in Summer 2023, either in person or remotely. Based on potential Stanford travel restrictions, the Archaeology Center will be making a determination about whether our field schools will be conducted remotely or in person by early Spring quarter 2023.
Application information:
- This field experience opportunity is open to all undergraduates except graduating seniors.
- Undergraduates from all majors are encouraged to apply.
- Applicants will need an updated passport by the time of acceptance
- By applying you agree to your application being reviewed by the Project 'U Mari Mentors
- Acceptance to the field school comes with 100% funding for all eligible expenses (includes flights, room and board, and materials used on site). Funding is generously provided by VPUE. Due to a funding cap from VPUE, students who plan to participate in an archaeology field school cannot receive a major grant or a Chappell-Lougee scholarship within the same academic year as their field school.
Pre-departure training and coursework
Project ‘U Mari has a pre-field training requirement that takes place over the course of the Spring Quarter. Accepted students are expected to undertake this training and preparation within the framework of the spring quarter course, ARCHLGY 140: Sicily and the Sea (note that the timing of this course may change).
Requirements for students accepted for a diving role:
- Basic open water scuba certification from an accredited agency
- Emergency oxygen for diving injuries course (to be arranged on campus for students in ARCHLGY 140)
Both of these certifications can be completed in the spring as part of ARCHLGY 140 coursework or on one’s own, but proof of these certifications is required prior to departure and will be reviewed by the Diving Safety Officers for Stanford and the project. That is, having these certifications is not a requirement at the time of application to the field school, but is a requirement of participation for accepted field school students that must be completed, in or out of class, prior to departure. Additional courses for dive training (advanced open water, rescue diver, scientific diver) beyond basic certification will form a component of summer field training in Sicily.
Requirements for all students:
- CPR/first aid certification from an approved agency (to be arranged on campus for students in ARCHLGY 140)
- Medical exam, which can be completed at Vaden Health Center (for diving students, this will be a diving-specific exam, and you will receive a form to complete)
- Upon their return to Stanford, the Archaeology Center requires that all field school students participate in SURPS (Symposia for Undergraduate Research and Public Service). Students from each field school are expected to work together to complete an application, prepare a poster, and present at the SURPS event as part of reunion-homecoming weekend.
- Each of our field schools is part of an ongoing research project led by a Stanford faculty member. While in the field, undergraduates are expected to contribute to the team effort of the archaeological project at the faculty member's direction. Field work can take the form of a number of different activities, from clearing undergrowth in preparation for excavation to laboratory analysis of archaeological samples. Each day's activities can look different, and may change depending on the evolving direction of the research. Students participating in a field school should be prepared to be flexible and responsive to the instructions of the faculty member or other senior project staff.
Contact: Professor Justin Leidwanger
Email: jleidwa@stanford.edu
Learn more about Project ‘U Mari (https://medlab.stanford.edu/)
