Kenchreai Archaeological Field School 2015


Archaeology, History, and Culture in Greece — 2015

The Center for Hellenic Studies and Sunoikisis announce the 2015 Archaeological Field School at Kenchreai, the port of Corinth in southern Greece. Students accepted to the Field School will receive credit from the University of Maryland. Scholarship support will be awarded to applicants on the basis of merit.
DATES: May 26-June 20, 2015
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, March 1, 2015
PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, March 1, 2015
PROGRAM COST: $4,150 (includes lodging, most meals, and program costs but not overseas airfare) + $50 application fee
During the Roman Empire, Kenchreai, the port of the great city of Corinth on the Aegean Sea, was one of the busiest harbors in southeastern Europe. Frequent ships arrived from distant lands bringing travelers of diverse backgrounds and a bountiful cargo of wine, spices, marble, and exotic wares. Kenchreai flourished as a port where Greeks, Romans, and eastern immigrants lived together in prosperity. Their deities came from all over the ancient world. The community possessed not only one of the most famous mystery-cults of the Egyptian goddess Isis but also one of the oldest Christian congregations in Greece, nurtured by St. Paul. Roman Kenchreai was thus a place of vibrant pluralism: native and foreign, rich and poor, pagan and Christian.

About the Program

This four-week summer program introduces students to the archaeology, history and culture of Greece through participation in a field school and accompanying seminars and excursions. The American Excavations at Kenchreai, directed by Professor Joe Rife (Vanderbilt University) and Professor Jorge Bravo (University of Maryland), provide a unique opportunity to learn about the past first-hand at one of Greece’s most spectacular seaside archaeological sites. Student participants enroll in a 4-credit summer course through the University of Maryland and will be evaluated on the basis of graded work (writing, oral presentation, practical exercises).
During the 2015 season participants will learn about data analysis, artifact processing, and conservation, in addition to on-site exploration, architectural survey and stratigraphic documentation, all important components in archaeological fieldwork. Students will also attend a series of seminars by leading experts in several fields, from ancient religion to ceramic analysis, the digital humanities, and biological anthropology, and they will join excursions to major sites and museums in the region, such as Corinth, Perachora, Mycenae, Nemea, Epidauros, and Nafplion. The excavation team stays in comfortable lodgings in the area of Archaia Korinthos, on the site of ancient Corinth, where we enjoy the natural beauty of the countryside and the easy rhythms of a traditional community.
Former participants share some of their experiences from the Field School:

“Besides the great friendships and memories at Kenchreai, it has been the inspiration for my academic career.  My experiences and connections in Greece have taken me to internships in Minneapolis and France, study abroad in Rome, and now to my doctoral program in classical studies. I think that maybe the best recommendation I can give is that, after three years working on the project, I still can’t wait to get back every summer!”
“This is fantastic course for those interested in getting hands-on experience in the field of archaeology. The excursions were very engaging, and the field work we were able to complete was a great opportunity.”
“I went on this project last summer and had the best time. The professors are so passionate about what they teach and research and they really know their stuff. The whole program was fantastic.”

Program Application

Click here to visit the program application.
Interested students should complete an application to the program as offered by the University of Maryland.
The deadline for PROGRAM applications is Sunday, March 1, 2015.

Scholarship Application

Click here to visit the scholarship application.
Scholarship support will be awarded to applicants on the basis of merit.
In addition to the program application, students interested in applying for the scholarship should

  • fill out the online scholarship application,
  • include in the application contact information for two recommenders*,
  • include a PDF attachment of his/her transcript,**
  • include a PDF attachment of his/her résumé.

*We ask that you provide us with the contact information for two faculty members who can speak to your academic work and evaluate your plans for participating in the internship program. If you cannot supply the contact information for two faculty members, please provide information for high school teachers, employers, or mentors who know you well. We will contact them directly about their recommendations.
**Application attachments MUST be in PDF format or they will not go through the system.
The deadline for SCHOLARSHIP applications is Sunday, March 1, 2015

Eligibility

Students from all Sunoikisis institutions are eligible to apply. For a list of Sunoikisis institutions, see the Sunoikisis website.
Concentrators from any field may apply. The only requirements are intellectual curiosity and a readiness to engage directly with other cultures. Knowledge of either ancient or modern Greek is welcome but not required. Only current undergraduates are eligible to participate.
Students who have participated in CHS and Sunoikisis programs in the past are still eligible to apply, but those who have never participated in a CHS or Sunoikisis program have priority.

Contact

If you have any questions about the program or the application process, please contact us at sunoikisis(at)chs.harvard.edu.