Balkan heritage projects 2010:
A BYZANTINE COLD CASE FILE- EARLY CHRISTIAN MONASTERY EXCAVATIONS IN VARNA


 
 
Project type: field school (excavations)
THE PROJECT IS SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS AND VOLUNTEERS!
 
Site/s: The ruins of the early Christian monastery are on the top of Djanavar hill, app. 7 km. southern from ancient Odessos (present-day Varna), close to Via Pontica road that connected Constantinople and Danube Delta along the Western Black sea coast.
Period(s) of occupation: Late Antiquity (sixth century AD)
Travel/access to the site: Varna, Bulgaria is the Bulgaria’s major city on the Black sea coast with an international airport and a harbor. Bus lines and trains connect the city with all major Bulgarian and other European towns.

Description: The ruins on Djanavar hill near Varna belong to an Early Christian church of Syrian type. Its plan is one of a kind in the Balkan Peninsula. Four additional halls, decorated with marble revetments and mosaics are attached to the single-nave and the narthex. In the crypt archaeologist found three reliquaries (a marble, silver and a golden one - the last decorated with precious stones). The building was constructed  most probably during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565) and destroyed latest in 615 during the raid of Avars and Slavs. Scholars’ interpretation connects this church with the small but socially and economically important Monophysite community of Syrian refugees living in sixth century Byzantine Odessos.

First excavation project of that site started in early 1900s and lasted for 20 years. Unfortunately the project documentation was lost on the way to USA, where the dig directors: Karel and Hermengild Schkorpil intended to publish a book. Their reports in Bulgarian archaeological magazines are no more to be used since they don’t give answers to some lingering questions: Was the church a part of a larger monastic compound or complex of buildings and what was the role of this structure for the early Christian community at Odessos? Contemporary excavation project started in 2007 and reopened the Byzantine cold case file after 80 years with the main goal to answer these questions. Graves and walls excavated in 2009 proved the thesis that the church was not a single structure, but part of a complex. With a funeral part, obviously. But who was buried here: monks, aristocrats, Monophysites or common Christians? Come and see in 2010!
 
Two field school sessions of the project are available in 2010, each includes following three modules: fieldwork; educational course (lectures, workshops and field trainings in Early Byzantine Archaeology), and excursions to Black sea beaches and resorts, Madara (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Stone forest rocks and Roman mosaics museum in Marcianopolis (refer to the Course description and Field school agenda!). Participants, who join both project sessions will  have different schedule during the second session: the activities  in the afternoons will be more practical than theoretical, related to the finds' processing and documentation; an excursion along the Black sea coast will replace the standard excursion in the second session. All participants will receive a Balkan Heritage Field School Certificate specifying the fieldwork hours, educational modules, and sites visited. 
 
New Bulgarian University grants to students 6 credits for participation in one project session and 9 credits for participation in two sessions. Transcripts are available upon request for an additional tuition fee! Click for details!
 
Archaeological and historical context: According to the written records and archaeological excavations ancient Odessos (nowadays Varna) was established by Greek colonists from Miletus in 570 BC. Its name Odessos, first mentioned by Strabo, was pre-Greek, perhaps of Carian origin meaning a settlement on/near water. As independent polis Odessos quickly became one of the most important ports and trade centers in the Black Sea region. In AD 15 the town was included in the Roman province Moesia. St. Andrews established here in 50-s AD an Early Christian community. In the period between second and fourth century Odessos was a really wealthy city serving as a major harbor of provincial capital Marcianopolis. The town survived Barbars’ attacks in fifth and sixth century but during the raid of Avars and Slavs in 615 its history came to the end. In 11 century, after a gap of several centuries years, the town of Varna was re-established on top of the ruins of ancient Odessos .
Affiliation: Balkan Heritage,Varna Regional History Museum, New Bulgarian University (Bulgaria)
Project Director: Dr. Alexander Minchev, Varna Regional History Museum
Season dates: 3 July - 1 August, 2010
Session dates:
Field school session 1: 3-17 July, 2010
Field school session 2: 18 July - 1 August, 2010
Application Deadlines: until the places are filled, or latest 1 June, 2010 
Minimum length of stay for volunteers: 1 session (two weeks)
Minimum age: 16
Number of field school places available: Maximum 25

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. All participants are expected to have some (at least theoretical) background in archaeological field techniques and methods in advance (If needed, ask BH for recommended reading background!).
Experience required: No

...

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Lecturers, trainers: Dr. Alexander Minchev, Vasil Tenekedjiev (PhD candidate), Kalina Stoyanova (MA in Archaeology)

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

Survey

  • Introduction to cartography
  • Techniques of archaeological survey

Excavation

  • Use of tools and working methods
  • Methodology and techniques of excavation
  • Stratigraphy and chronology

Recording process and documentation

  • Excavation diaries and recording sheets
  • Stratigraphic and spatial records
  • Archaeological photography
  • Mapping
  • Record cards
  • Artefact recording and drawing
  • Grave's recording and drawing

Restoration

  • "First aid" and consolidation in situ
  • Cleaning of artefacts

Historical and cultural context of the site

  • Introduction to the Early Byzantine history with focus on Eastern Balkans
  • Introduction to the Early Christian architecture with focus on Eastern Roman Empire
  • Early Christian mosaic art
  • Early Christian relics

FIELD SCHOOL AGENDA:

Dates
Activities
Notes
First day
Arrival in Hotel Astra (downtown Varna) before 6.30 pm 
Registration and check-in.
Traditional Bulgarian welcome dinner.

Additional pick-up may be arranged from Varna airport, train or bus stations upon request.

Second day

Presentation of Balkan Heritage Foundation and Field School, Varna Museum, the project and participants. Ice-breaking. Town-orientation walk.


Working days

8.00 am - 1.30 pm – Fieldwork, including 30 min break*
1.30-3.30 pm - Lunch and Siesta break
3.30-5.00/6.00 pm – Lectures/Workshops
After 5.00/6.00 pm – free time

* in rare cases of rain, the project envisions finds' processing workshops and films projections in the Museum

Lectures and workshops in the area of Early Christian/ Byzantine history and Archaeology/Finds processing

During the free time our team can organize/assist organizing of various leisure activities for participants: beach-visits, horse-riding, clubbing etc.

First weekend

Visit to Madara (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – Marcianopolis Museum of Roman mosaics - Pobiti Kamani stone forest (a rock phenomenon).

Participants, who join two project sessions will participate in an excursion along the Black sea coast during the second session.

First weekend

Visit to Fichoza beach or Golden sands.

Free time for beach activities.

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 330 EUR). The hotel is located in the down town center, next to the town’s main pedestrian streets and very close to the famous Sea garden. 3 meals per day are served in the hotel tavern. 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 and yogurt based meals. Requests for vegetarian food are accepted!
Free time: Guided visits around the town of Varna and its environs and to Madara (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Marcianopolis Museum of Roman mosaics and Pobiti Kamani stone forest (a rock phenomenon) are organized for all field school participants. The town of Varna being the country’s summer holiday capital offers a lot of opportunities for sport and entertainment. There is an opportunity to join the extra excursion to ISTANBUL (Turkey) after the field school.
 
Admission fee: 1299 EUR (app.1750 USD but check current exchange rates!)* including educational and fieldwork activities, full-board accommodation (hotel + 3 meals per day), tools, materials, excursions/sightseeing tours/entrance fees and administrative costs.
* 10% discount off the admission fee available in case of:
1. Early registration (before 1 January 2010)
2. Participation in more than 1 BH project or project session in 2010. (10% discount is valid for the second, third etc... project/session to be attended)
3. Participation in any BH project/s in the past.
4. Membership in Archaeological Institute of America

NOTE, 10% OF EVERY ADMISSION FEE FOR THIS PROJECT DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE BALKAN HERITAGE PROTECTION FUND’S ACTIVITIES!

APPLY ONLINE FOR ADMISSION TO THE BYZANTINE COLD CASE FILE EXCAVATIONS PROJECT!