BH projects 2009
•AVGUSTA TRAIANA-BEROE-BORUI RESCUE EXCAVATIONS PROJECT

Project type: field school (rescue excavations)
THE PROJECT IS SUITABLE ALSO FOR BEGINNERS!
Site/s: AVGUSTA TRAIANA-BEROIA-BORUI (the same town with different names changing in the course of time) located under present-day Stara Zagora town center.
Period(s) of occupation: Roman (AD 107-370s), Late Antique (AD 370s – 590s), Medieval (AD 590s– 1360s)
Travel/access to the site: Stara Zagora, Bulgaria is a major transport junction. It may be reached by both bus and train from major Bulgarian cities with air terminals and Bulgarian border points. The nearest air terminals are Sofia (200 km), Plovdiv (90 km) and Burgas (200 km). If participants arrive by plane at one of these airports, a transfer to Stara Zagora may be arranged by request (Please, specify this in your application form!). The price may vary from 25 to 55 EUR depending on both distance and number of participants. Ask for details!

Description: Due to the emerging town center and related construction projects, the Stara Zagora Regional History Museum has implemented an intensive program of rescue excavations uncovering Roman, Late Antique and Medieval pages of town history. In 1970s state authorities declared archaeological heritage under the contemporary town for an archaeological reserve called AVGUSTA TRAIANA-BEROIA-BORUI (named on 3 consequent town names used between AD 107 and the 1360s). Every construction project in the reserve’s territory requires, by law, an archaeological survey of the building site, usually connected with rescue excavations. Season 2009 envisions rescue excavations in three to six small-size (150-550 m²) sectors, where mainly Roman and Late Antique layers are to be studied. Two field school sessions of the project are available in 2009, each including 3 modules: fieldwork; educational course (lectures, workshops and field trainings) and excursions to the Rose valley, Thracian tombs around Kazanlak (fifth to third centuriy BC) and Plovdiv (refer to the Course description and Field school agenda!). Field school participants will work at a random excavation sector with possibility to move to another sector. All participants are to receive BH field school certificate specifying fieldwork hours, educational modules and sites visited. The BH certificate along with the BH evaluation letter and participant's field report are considered as credit worthy by most universities and colleges worldwide.

Archaeological and historical context: Archaeological findings discovered in Stara Zagora provide evidence for the existence of human inhabitance dating back to the Early Balkan Neolithic (8000 BP). There are many successive periods of occupation beneath the contemporary town. The Roman city that existed here was named Avgusta Traiana after the Emperor Trajan, who founded it soon after the end of his Dacian campaigns, perhaps in AD 107 During the reign of Emperors Antoninus Pius (138-161) and Marcus Aurelius (161-180) solid marble architecture was erected just as in every prominent city of the Roman Empire. Avgusta Traiana was the second largest city in the province of Thracia. Due to excavations (mainly rescue excavations) performed in the last 50 years some parts of the town fortifications (2 parallel walls, gates, the moat and towers) were discovered by archaeologists. The southern and the south-western gates of Avgusta Traiana have been located, as well as one forum (probably not the major one), an auditorium, public baths, some of the streets and various private buildings.

The Gladiators' forum of Avgusta Traiana is small and elliptical, located next to the south-western gate, just in front of the large Roman public baths. Amphitheatrically arranged seats (auditorium) were installed in the late second or early third century AD closing both sides of this square used initially as a market place. Numerous commemorative statues and reliefs of gladiators found here are the evidences of bloody amusements arranged on the arena. After prohibition of Gladiators' games in the first quarter of the fourth century AD an equestrian statue (probably the one of Constantine the Great) on a pedestal was raised in the central part of the forum. After Huns had destroyed the town in 450s, the forum and the baths were abandoned and soon after that new residential buildings covered their ruins.

One of the most remarkable archaeological sites from the antique period in Stara Zagora is the so called “Private house with mosaic flooring”. It is a small audience hall of a private house from the fourth century AD There is a small octagonal basin in the centre of the mosaic. Just around it there is an inscription written with small pebbles saying:”To your health”. The extremely colourful mosaic depicts various kinds of animals such as bear, wolf, fox and a heraldic scene: a hydria and two creeping vines coming out from it surrounded from both sides by two ducks.

 
In the Late antique period Avgusta Traiana bears already a new name – Beroia. As a result of numerous attacks by the Goths, Huns, Avars and Slavs during the Great migration of people (370s-680s) the curtain wall as well as a great portion of the public and private buildings within the city were damaged or destroyed. The newly levelled streets in the sixth century AD laying over massive destructions from the period tackled are up to 1,5 m higher than the second-third century paved Roman streets. In the Medieval period Beroia grew as an important political, military and administrative centre, which was frequently exchanged between the Byzantine and the Bulgarian Empires. Bulgarians first conquered it in 708. In 784 the town was visited and reconstructed by the Byzantine Empress Irina, who changed its name to Irinopolis. Bulgarians called it Borui (Boruigrad) and kept this name until the Ottoman invasion of 1360s. As a matter of fact, the medieval period of Stara Zagora still remains archaeologically obscured since most of layers dating from the 7th to the 18th centuries AD were damaged or completely destroyed during the city’s reconstruction following the Russian-Turkish war (1877-78).

Affiliation: BH field school and Regional History Museum – Stara Zagora (Bulgaria)
Project Director: Georgi Iliev. Department of Classical and Late Antique Archeology in Stara Zagora Regional History Museum. BH field school affiliate. Alumni of Veliko Tarnovo University (Bulgaria) and Vienna University (Austria), Herder scholarship winner, specialized in Late Antique and Early Christian Archeology .

Season dates: April – November 2009 (but only two sessions are opened for field school participants)
Sessions' dates:
Field school session 1: 19 July - 2 August 2009
Field school session 2: 2-16 August 2009
Application Deadline: 20 July 2009 (second session)
Minimum length of stay for volunteers: 1 session (two weeks)
Minimum age: 16
Number of field school places available: Maximum 16 per session

Language: English
Special requirements: Fieldwork under hot South European sun (average temperatures in the summer 25-35 C or higher) is not recommended for individuals with solar allergies or other particular illnesses. All participants should bring clothes and cosmetics suitable for hot and sunny weather.
Experience required: No

...

COURSE DESCRIPTION

BH field school Lecturers/Trainers:

  • Georgi Iliev - Ph.D. candidate in Archaeolgy at St. Cyril and Methdius University of Veliko Tarnovo. Department of Classic and Late Antique Archeology of Stara Zagora Regional History Museum. BH field school affiliate.
  • Mariana Minkova -numizmatist at Stara Zagora Regional History Museum.
  • Maria Kamisheva - curator. Department of Classic and Late Antique Archeology of Stara Zagora Regional History Museum.
  • Mariana Ginzarova - technician (professional artifact drawer) at Stara Zagora Regional History Museum.
  • Nina Turlakova - professional restorer (poterry and glas) at Stara Zagora Regional History Museum.
BH field school lectures, workshops and field trainings cover following areas:

Survey
-Introduction to cartography
-Archaeological survey techniques
-Archaeological charts

Excavation
-Use of tools and working methods
-Methodology and techniques of excavation
-Stratigraphy and periodisation
-Procedures for analysis of sample collection: soil micro-morphology, carbon dating, pollen, anthropology etc.

Recording process and documentation
-Excavation diaries and recording sheets
-Stratigraphic and spatial records
-Archaeological photography
-Mapping
-Record cards
-Artefact recording and drawing

Restoration
-"First aid" and consolidation in situ
-Cleaning of artifacs
-Restoration of pottery and glass works

Historical and cultural context of AVGUSTA TRAIANA-BEROIA-BORUI
-History of the Roman province of Thracia
-Roman and late Roman fortification and architecture
-Roman mosaic art
-Typology of Roman pottery of AVGUSTA TRAIANA
-Roman coins from AVGUSTA TRAIANA

FIELD SCHOOL AGENDA:

Dates
Activities
Notes
First day

Arrival, registration and check-in before 7.00 pm. Traditional Bulgarian welcome dinner.

 Participants could be picked up from one of the nearest airports (upon request).
Second day
10.00 am -1.00 pm - Welcome and orientation panel
1.00 -3.00 pm - Lunch and siesta break
3.00 – 4.00 pm - Lecture
4.00-5.30 pm - Stara Zagora sightseeing
 Lecture in the area of Roman history and Archaeology
Working days

8.30 am -1.15 pm – Fieldwork including 30 min break*
1.15-3.30 pm - Lunch and siesta break
3.30-5.00/6.00 pm – Lectures/Workshops

* in rare cases of rain, the project envisions finds processing workshops and movie projections in the Museum!
 Lectures and workshops in the area of Roman history and Archaeology/Field materials processing
First Saturday
 Visit to the Valley of Roses and Thracian kings
Kazanlak Archaeological Museum and Thracian royal tombs (fifth-third cent. BC)
First Sunday
 Visit to Plovdiv
Plovdiv is the second largest town of Bulgaria (500 000 inhabitants) rich on cultural heritage sites and monuments.
Last Saturday

10.00 -11.30 am – Visit to the Neolithic dwellings Museum in Stara Zagora.

FREE TIME

Last day
 Departure

Room and Board arrangements: In comfortable hotel rooms (with two to three beds), equipped with air-conditioning, televisions and full bathrooms (single rooms are available upon request for an additional fee of 200 EUR). The hotel is located next to the Stara Zagora bus station, close to the town’s main pedestrian street. Three meals per day will be served in the hotel restaurant. Participants are not expected to bring any additional equipment. Local food is a mix between heavy meaty Balkan cuisine and light Mediterranean food, characterized by great variety of salads and milk based meals. Requests for vegetarian food are accepted!

Free time: Guided visits around the town of Stara Zagora and to the Valley of Thracian kings as well as Plovdiv are organized for all field school participants. The town of Stara Zagora offers a lot of opportunities for sport and entertainment. tour.starazagora.net. There is also an opportunity to join an extra excursion before or after the field school project/s.
Admission fee: 999 EUR (app. 1280 USD but check current exchange rates!) including tuition, fieldwork activities, full-board accommodation (hotel + 3 meals per day), excursions/sightseeing tours/entrance fees, medical insurance and administrative costs. 10% discount off the admission fee available in case of:

1. Early registration (before 1 January 2009)
2. Participation in more than 1 BH project or project session in 2009.
3. Participation in any BH project/s in the past.

NOTE, 7% OF EVERY ADMISSION FEE SUPPORT DIRECTLY BALKAN HERITAGE PROTECTION FUND’S ACTIVITIES!

APPLY ONLINE FOR PARTICIPATION IN AVGUSTA TRAIANA-BEROIA-BORUI RESCUE EXCAVATIONS PROJECT

PROJECT TESTIMONIALS
The daily schedule was suitable for beginners, like me, with morning excavations, and afternoon presentations with experts in the field of archaeology. The staff at the BH filed school were helpful and attentive and I look for forward to attending another BH Field school session in the future. When you come to Bulgaria you will find that Bulgaria is a beautiful country, people are friendly and when it comes time to leave it will be difficult to leave.
Nicky Mclean,USA
For a first experience (in over 40 years) of working on an archaeological dig, I cannot imagine a better experience. The dig site, The Regional History Museum of Stara Zagora and the BH Field school personnel were extremely well organized and very competent. All of the people I came in contact with were professional and kind. Nothing was too much trouble for the BH Field school staff. All details of the program were written clearly and followed precisely. Attention to detail was paramount. The weekend field trips showed the beauty of the country side and the wealth of cultural heritage in Bulgaria.
Karen Lochhead, Canada
My stay in Bulgaria was very rewording experience. I take with me all of the knowledge gained, very well constructed courses and extremely well prepared and knowledgeable instructors. The field school organized by BH is one anyone with an interest in cultural archaeology should not miss!
Brian C. Briggs, USA

The BH Field School has been an excellent opportunity to develop new skills and hands on experience with archaeology. The program offers an unique way to embrace Bulgarian culture and history, while gaining practical experience in fieldwork. Bulgaria is warm and welcoming country and I am pleased that I was able to learn about it. The instructors are friendly and outgoing and always willing to share their knowledge with you.
Courtney Burmaster, Canada
I have had a fantastic stay in Bulgaria and with the BH project so much, so I definitely want to come back. I have really appreciated how helpful the directors have been and the variation and amount of practical archaeology we have been taught.
Karen Stark, USA
The town of Stara Zagora was quite enjoyable to stay and work. All of the instructors were very informative and accommodating. It was a great experience which I would love to take part in again.
Sarah Dennon, USA
I really had a good time in Bulgaria. My participation on the projects was interesting. I got to learn a lot of new things. If you get the chance to participate yourself I say go for it!
Thomas Renzella, Canada
Bulgaria is an awesome country with a rich archaeological history. The BH project is an excellent way to experience both the modern and ancient heritage. Totally worth the experience and highly recommended to anyone who likes to train and experience new outlines.
Alia Wallace, USA
This experience was so much fun; there was a perfect balance between digging, lectures and free time. All of the people were wonderful and I loved these last 2 weeks. Overall I’d recommend this project to anyone who is adventurous.
Rebecca Howsam, USA
 
Very nice people in Stara Zagora. Extremely good organization from BH.
Masha Filipovic, Serbia
 
This was a wonderful experience!
Elizabeth Delange, Canada
 
I have helped in many aspects of preserving and rescuing archaeological sites and artifacts. I have also enjoyed field trips in local areas of historical interest as well as taking part in some of Bulgaria cultural aspects.
Rachael McKerr, UK
 
I had a very good time. I was able to experience the local culture, the heritage and meet new people at the same time. Overall I had a very fun, exciting and educational experience and would love to visit Bulgaria again!
Brogan Spencer, UK
 
My stay and participation with the BH project was amazing. I met many new friends and learned a lot about archaeology and Bulgarian culture. I have many great memories at the BH project and all the people involved.
Leane Steel, Canada
 
The project was very interesting and educating. Now I know I definitely want to become an archaeologist. It was also been fun to meet new people and to make lots of new friends.
Stella Drezgacheva, UK
 
It was an experience of learning about archaeology and Bulgarian, Roman and Thracian histories and learning about people and experience.
David Hobson, USA
 
I found 7 ancient coins!!! I love BH teachers, Stara Zagora and my new friends. It was a great experience for me.
Hiroshi Watanabe, Japan