Archeological Fieldwork in Sandanski

The archeological fieldwork in Sandanski program is quite exciting. The program gives everybody the opportunity to participate in archeology fieldwork. The goal is to help and support the team of the local Archeology Museum in Sandanski, in southwestern Bulgaria, in its work on the Early Christian Basilica found in the center of the present-day town. Archeological fieldwork in Sandanski program, in which you can participate, will take place in the summer, starting in the beginning of June and ending in August. The sessions duration is two weeks; however, those who think that two-week’s time is not enough can apply individually for extra time.

Early Christian Basilica

The work in the archeological fieldwork in Sandanski requires no previous experience and will be conducted by a professional archaeologist. Additionally, an interpreter will join the team, so English language is the only requirement. The site is situated in the very center of the nice town of Sandanski and the hotel where all participants will be accommodated is in two minutes walking distance.

Early Christian Basilica

A day-trip to the ancient town of Philippi, Greece will be organized in the weekend.

Working hours will begin early in the morning at 6:30 am – 7:00 am and will end at 12:00 noon as the weather in Sandanski during the summer is very hot. Afternoons could be scheduled for various activities, such as mosaic production courses. The idea is to create mosaics, similar to those found on the floors of the basilica and, of course, to simulate the same working techniques.

At the end of archeological fieldwork in Sandanski program each of the participants will receive a fieldwork certificate issued by the Regional Museum of Sandanski.

Early Christian Basilica – Plan

Program sessions in 2008:

• From: June 7th to June 20th
• From: June 21st to July 4th
• From: July 5th to July 18th
• From: July 19th to August 1st
• From: August 2nd to August 15th

If these session dates are not suitable for you, please get in touch with the organizers and they will try to arrange a customized session for you. The minimum session duration should be 2 weeks. Less time will not satisfy anyone interested in archeology field work. You can extend your session for a third, or more weeks if you want, but you need to inform the organizers at least one month before session start.

Agenda

Saturday: Arrival in Sofia and meeting at the airport; transfer to your hotel in Sofia.

Sunday: Trip to Sandanski, accommodation, introduction to the Museum staff and the archaeological sites, followed by walking tour of the town.

Mon-Fri and Mon-Thu next week: (9 full days in total) - morning fieldwork. Fieldwork will start at 6:30 am -7:00 am and will continue until noon. After a lunch break participants are offered to attend a mosaic practical course organized by the museum, or do any other activities they would like. According the organizers, this is enough work per day in the hot summer and will not urge you to work more. However, everyone who feels enthusiastic about both fieldworks on the site and/or the mosaic production can arrange a longer and heavier schedule.

The Weekend

Saturday: Trip to Philippi in Greece. As now Bulgaria and Greece are both members of the European Union, there are no real borders and going to Greece is much easier. The town of Philippi is 180 km away from Sandanski and the trip will require some more traveling time and we believe it is worth spending it.

The Ancient Town of Philippi in Greece

Sunday: Optional trip to Melnik and Rozhen Monastery, or an additional day off. You can visit Melnik - a small and unique town some 20 km from Sandanski.

Town of Melnik

If you chose not to attend the Optional trip, you can spend your time in Sandanski in many ways. You can visit one of the numerous spa centers with open-air pools. Also you can go out for a picnic in the park which is about 5 minutes walking distance from your hotel. Hikers will find many picturesque images of southwestern Bulgaria. You can also fool around all day long - chilling at many open-air cafeterias, restaurants, bars.

Friday: Travel back to Sofia and walking city tour.

Saturday: Departure from Sofia airport.

Gravestone of Roman Veteran Guy Valerii Puges - 131 BC
From the Exposition of Sandanski Museum

Pricing

The Fieldwork Program price per person is EUR 699.00
*Prices are calculated for accommodation in double and triple rooms. In case you wish to sleep in a single room, please let us know in advance. We will inform you about this possibility and the price..

Program cost includes:

• Application fee of EUR 180.00
• Meeting at the airport and airport-hotel-airport transfers
• Accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis in Sofia and Sandanski (2 overnights in a nice hotel in Sofia and 12 overnights in a centrally located hotel in Sandanski)
• Transfer Sofia-Sandanski-Sofia
• Digs/fieldwork and mosaic courses fee - 9 full days
• Day trip to Philippi, Greece in the Saturday between the two working weeks
• Entrance tickets for the museum in Philippi

From the Exposition of Sandanski Museum

Program cost DOES NOT include:

• airfare expenses*
• travel and medical insurance
• food and beverages for lunch and dinner for all 14 days**
• personal expenses

Vicky in the Museum of Sandanski

SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT: To book your participation in this Program, you should pay an Application fee of EUR 180.00 not less than 4 weeks before your session start date (if you are late, please contact us by email-we will try to fit you in). The remaining amount should be paid upon arrival. Please let me know with our Contact Form that you are interested in this program: Click here to reach the Contact Form. We will make sure that you receive the application form. The program will then contact you and will provide you with the payment information, along with all other arrangements.

APPLICATION DEADLINES: There are no general deadlines for applying to this Program. Of course, the earlier you apply the better your chance for reserving a place.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY: Application fee is fully refundable 30 days before session start. After that time the Application fee is non-refundable.


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