BH projects 2008
• HERACLEA LYNCESTIS EXCAVATION PROJECT

Project type: field school (excavations)
THE PROJECT IS SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS AND VOLUNTEERS!
Site/s: HERACLEA LYNCESTIS (founded in the 4-th century B.C. by Philip of Macedon and conquered by the Romans two centuries later) was one of the key urban centers on Via Egnatia road connecting Rome and Asia Minor in Antiquity.
Period(s) of occupation: Hellenistic, Roman, Late Antique (4-th century B.C. – 6-th century A.D.)
Travel/access to the site: Bitola is in the Southwestern part of Republic of Macedonia, 15 km from the border with Greece. It may be reached by both bus and train from major Macedonian cities and border points. The nearest air terminals are Skopje (160 km), Ohrid (75 km) and Thessalonica (Greece) (180 km). If participants arrive by plane on these airports, a transfer to Bitola may be arranged by request (Specify this in your application form!). Individual or group transfers’ price may vary depending on both distance and number of participants from 25 to 100 EUR. Ask for details!

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)
Project Director: Zoran Nikolovski. Director of Institute, Museum and Gallery– Bitola (Macedonia). BH field school affiliate specialized in Late Antique and Early Christian architecture.

Season dates: April – November 2008 (but only 1 session is opened for field school participants)
Session dates: 16-30 July 2008
Application Deadlines: 1 June 2008
Minimum length of stay for volunteers: 1 session (15 days)
Minimum age: 16
Number of field school places available: Maximum 16

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 special illnesses. All participants should bring clothes and cosmetics suitable for hot and sunny weather.
Experience required: No

COURSE DESCRIPTION

BH field school Lecturers/Trainers:
Anica Georgievska
Engin Nasuh
Zoran Nikolovski
Vangel Bozinovski
Lidia Dostovska

BH field school lectures, workshops and field trainings cover following areas:

Survey
-Introduction to cartography
-Techniques of archaeological survey
-Archaeological charts

Excavation
-Use of tools and working methods
-Methodology and techniques of excavation
-Stratigraphy and periodisation

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: extraction of salts and limes, washing
-Restoration of metal works
-Restoration of pottery works

Historical and cultural context of HERACLEA LYNCESTIS
-History of Ancient Macedonia and Roman province of Macedonia……
-Hellenistic, Roman and late Roman fortification and architecture
-Hellenistic and Roman mosaic art
-Typology of Hellenistic and Roman pottery of HERACLEA LYNCESTIS
-Ancient Macedonian and Roman coins from HERACLEA LYNCESTI

FIELD SCHOOL AGENDA:

Dates
Activities
Notes
1-st day
Arrival, registration and check-in before 19.00 h Participants will be picked up from Bitola train/railway station or one of the nearest airports (upon request).
2-nd day
Lectures, workshops. Bitola sightseeing. Lectures and workshops in the area of Macedonian and Roman history and Archaeology/Field materials processing
Working days
7.30 am to 1.00 pm including 30 min break
1.00-3.00 pm - Lunch and Siesta break
3.00-5.30 pm – Lectures/Workshops

Lectures and workshops in the area of Macedonian and Roman history and Archaeology/Field materials processing
First Saturday
10.30 am -1.00 pm – Workshop.
1.00-3.00 pm - Lunch break
3.00 -7.00 pm - Bitola sightseeing and visit to Porodin (The oldest Neolithic site in Macedonia 6000 B.C.)

Workshop in Hellenistic and Roman Archaeology
Weekends
Visit to Ohrid Ohrid rich on cultural heritage sites and monuments.and Ohrid lake - (UNESCO heritage sites).
Weekends
Visit to National park Pelister mountain The oldest national park in Ex-Yugolsavia and Macedonia.
Last day
Departure Participants will be given a lift to Bitola train or railway station.

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