Lofkend Archaeological Survey
Albania
June 22 - July 26, 2008
The project is based at the Apollonia excavation headquarters at the ancient site of Apollonia, near Fier, approximately two hours from Tirana, the capital of Albania. This site features some of Albania’s most celebrated Greek, Roman and medieval monuments, in an archaeological park with a museum inside the monastery of Saint Mary.
Accommodation
Students share accommodation with all team members at the Apollonia dig house where three meals (plus morning break) are served, seven days a week. Rooms are furnished and bedding provided (please bring towels), communal bathrooms include showers, hot water, and a washing machine. Electricity fluctuates with frequent power outages, appliances run on European current (220 volts, with transformer and converter). Cell phones (renewable phone cards) can be used but reception is poor, and there is no internet at dig house, but we visit Fier bi-weekly for internet cafes, post office and supplies.
Schedule
Work days begin at 6am and lasts until 2pm, with afternoon lab work resuming after a rest. Saturdays we work a half-day, with Sundays off for rest at dighouse, sight-seeing or beach trips (transportation and meals provided). There will be occasional evening lectures and sessions on physical anthropology, ceramics, lithics, conservation, and plant remains.
Conditions
Summer heat in the western Balkans can be fierce, and field work uncomfortable: long pants, boots, hats and sunscreen are mandatory. Mosquitoes abound (rooms are screened and fans provided), and those with severe allergies to plants and insects are discouraged.