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BH
projects 2008 |
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Project type:
field school (excavations) Description: In last 50 years Institute, Museum and Gallery– Bitola (Macedonia) has excavated the site of Heraclea Lyncestis uncovering Hellenistic, Roman and Late Antique pages of town history. In 1950s state authorities declared archaeological heritage there for an archaeological reserve. During last half century were uncovered and restored significant monuments of Antiquity (Forum, Amphitheater, Early Christian basilicas and residential buildings (many of them decorated with polychrome mosaics). Season 2008 envisions excavations in 3 sectors: The area behind the hill (Hellenistic), Theater forum (Roman) and Northern necropolis (Late Antique). 1 field school session of the project is available in 2008, including 3 modules: fieldwork; educational course (lectures, workshops and field trainings) and excursions to the Neolithic sites of Porodin, UNESCO heritage town and lake of Ohrid as well as Pelister national park (refer to the Course description and Field school agenda!). Field school participants will work on random excavation sector with possibility to shift to another sector. Local workers will assist them. All participants are to receive BH field school certificate specifying fieldwork hours, educational modules and sightseeings visited. Archaeological and historical context: At the western side of the modern city of Bitola lies the ancient one. It is situated on a low hill at the crossroad of Via Egnatia (called so after 148 B.C.) and the road connecting Pelagonia with the Vardar valley. Such a location made Heraclea strategically important, and it became the principal town and administrative center of the district of Lyncestis (a fertile plain surrounded by wooded mountains). Heraclea is mentioned in the chronicles describing the campaigns of Julius Caesar during the civil wars as a supply depot, and inscriptions of veterans who settled here date as early as the turn of the new era. Numerous private and official inscriptions as well as discovered monuments and artifacts attest town’s importance during the Early Roman Empire. Many names of bishops from Heraclea came from the 4-th, 5-th, and 6-th century A.D. sources. Twice the Ostrogoths led by their king Theodorich in 472 A.D. and again in 479 sacked it but it was restored in the late 5-th and the early 6-th century A.D. Finally the Slavs in the late 6-th century conquered Pelagonia and the Heraclea’s urban history came to the end. Excavations have revealed several sections of the fortification wall on the acropolis and two basilicas in the main part of the town. Both basilicas have well-preserved mosaics from the 5-th, and 6-th century A.D., depicting geometric and figured patterns. The most interesting of the mosaics, remarkable for its size and decoration structure was found in the narthex of the large basilica – the rectangle framework (110 sq.m) contains 36 octagonal panels with images of fishes, water birds and mythological figures; the panels are linked by intricate meanders. Excavations near both basilicas have uncovered 4-th, and 5-th century A.D. streets and buildings. Mosaics cover the floors of several private and public buildings near the basilicas. A large part of the ancient theater, built on the slopes of the acropolis in the 2-nd century A.D., has been excavated and the auditorium has been recently restored. Affiliation: BH field school and Institute, Museum
and Gallery– Bitola (Macedonia) Season dates: April – November 2008 (but only
1 session is opened for field school participants) Language: English COURSE DESCRIPTION BH field school Lecturers/Trainers: BH field school lectures, workshops and field trainings cover following areas: Survey Excavation Recording process and documentation Restoration Historical and cultural context of HERACLEA
LYNCESTIS |
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Room and Board arrangements:
In 2- and 3-bed rooms with WC & Showers & TV & air condition
(single rooms available upon request for an additional fee of 100 EUR)
in a comfortable town hotel in the city center. 3 meals per day are served
in the hotel restaurant. Requests for vegetarian food are also accepted.
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. Requests for vegetarian
food are also accepted. Free time: Guided visits around the town of Bitola and to the Neolithic site of Porodin, Ohrid and Ohrid lake as well as Pelister national park are organized for all field school participants. The town of Bitola offers a lot of opportunities for sport and entertainment. http://www.bitola.gov.mk. There is also an opportunity to join an extra excursion before or after the fieldschool. Admission fee: 899 EUR (app. 1170 USD but check current exchange rates! )* including tuition, fieldwork activities, full-board accommodation, excursions/sightseeing tours/entrance fees, medical insurance and administrative costs. 15% discount from the admission fee available in case of: 1. Early registration (before 10 January 2008) 2. Participation in more than 1 BH project/project session. NOTE – 7% OF EVERY ADMISSION FEE SUPPORT DIRECTLY BALKAN HERITAGE PROTECTION FUND’S ACTIVITIES! *2 scholarships covering up to 60% of the admission fee is available for citizens of South East European countries (i.e. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey). Please, ask for details! APPLY ONLINE FOR PARTICIPATION IN HERACLEA LYNCESTIS EXCAVATION PROJECT |
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