Balkan heritage projects 2013:
WORKSHOP FOR CONSERVATION, RESTORATION AND DOCUMENTATION
OF Roman POTTERY

Project type: field school (workshop)
THE PROJECT IS SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS!

Venue: Archaeological site of Stobi, Macedonia - STOBI WAS INCLUDED IN THE 2012 WORLD MONUMENTS WATCH AMONG THE MONUMENTS WITH UNIVERSAL SIGNIFICANCE -read more here!

Period(s): Roman and Late Roman (second century BC - sixth century AD)

The nearest air terminals: Skopje, Macedonia (80 km) and Thessaloniki, Greece (160 km) - don't forget checking the low cost  flight options! If participants arrive by plane to these airports, a transfer to Stobi may be arranged by request. Individual or group transfers’ price may vary depending on both distance and number of passengers from 30 to 110 EUR.
Travel/access to the site: Stobi is located in the center of the Republic of Macedonia. It can be easily accessed by: 1. travelling by bus or car on the highway E-75 (from Athens, Greece to Belgrade, Serbia and Central Europe  across Macedonia) - the highway exit STOBI is just in front of the site's entrance; 2. catching a bus/train from Skopje (Macedonia), Thessaloniki (Greece) - the stop is at Gradsko (5 km. away from Stobi), from there participants/visitors could get a taxi to Stobi or request a free pick-up available from 8 am to 8 pm (please ask for details); 3. from neighbouring towns of Negotino (15 km) and Kavadartsi (20 km) participants/visitors could get on a bus to Gradsko or on a taxi directly to Stobi.

Description: The WORKSHOP FOR CONSERVATION, RESTORATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ROMAN POTTERY, 2013 will be hosted as usual by the National Institution Stobi, Macedonia at the Stobi Archaeological Park. It will guide the participants through the history and technology of Roman and Late Roman pottery and consequent stages of archaeological conservation, restoration, documentation and study. Both the theoretical and practical courses will be based on Roman pottery found in the ancient city of Stobi. During the workshop participants will work with authentic Roman and Late Roman shards.

In 2013 the agenda of the project will be enriched with theoretical course in Glass Conservation and Restoration.

The project includes three modules: practical work in documentation and restoration of Roman pottery; lectures, trainings and behind-the-scenes study visits and excursions to the old town of Bitola, the archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis, Ohrid and Ohrid lake (UNESCO World Heritage Site) as well as to a traditional pottery workshop. Refer to the Course description and Workshop agenda!

By the end of the workshop the participants will:

  • be able to develop basic/further practical skills (depending on participant’s initial level of qualification) in ancient pottery restoration and illustration (both drawing and using graphic software);
  • deepen their knowledge through first-hand experience of Roman History and Archaeology;
  • be theoretically introduced to the contemporary methods and techniques of the Ancient Glass Conservation and Restoration
  • meet professionals who work in the areas of Classical Archaeology and Pottery and Glass Conservation, Restoration and Documentation.
  • get acquaint to the basic methods of how to document and restore ancient pottery;

All participants will receive:

  • Project handbook (in PDF version by e-mail and a hard copy on arrival);
  • Balkan Heritage Field School Certificate specifying the fieldwork hours, educational modules, and sites visited. 
New Bulgarian University grants 6 academic credits to students for participation in the project. Transcripts are available upon request for an additional tuition fee! For details please read the BHFS Regulations for obtaining ToR!

Archaeological and historical context: The historical references and archaeological excavations provide a picture of the continuity of occupation in Stobi. The remains of the Archaic (sixth century BC) and Classical period (fifth-fourth century BC), discovered by the excavations, point to the earliest periods of Stobi's history. However, the small quantity of finds from that time and the lack of historical records do not yet indicate  much about the earliest settlement. The first historiography records that mention Stobi are provided by the Roman historian Titus Livy, and concern the period of the second century BC, when (in 197 BC) the Macedonian king Philip V defeated the Dardanians in the vicinity of Stobi. According to Livy, during the Roman conquests in Macedonia, Stobi became an important center for salt trading. In AD 69 Empreror Vespasian granted Stobi the rank of municipium and the right to mint its own coins. Salt trading and the  strategic position between two rivers, on the cross-road of the ancient road along the Vardar valley and branches of Via Diagonalis and Via Egnatia, brought long-term prosperity from first to third centuries AD. Several buildings are dated to this period: the Theater, the first City Wall, Porta Heraclea, part of the Forum Romanorum, Casa Romana, the Synagogue and the water supply system. In 267/69 the city suffered from raids by Goths and Herules. After their devastating attacks, Stobi was rebuilt, but following a different urban model. Most of the building ruins visible today are dated to this period. In the fourth century AD Stobi became an important Christian center and seat of mighty bishops. In the fifth and sixth century, Stobi was the capital city of the Roman province Macedonia Secunda, but suffered from the raids of Huns, Ostrogoths, Avars and Slavs. An earthquake in 518 AD marked the end of urban living in Stobi. In later centuries there are some records for a small Slav community that settled here. The last historical reference regarding Stobi is about the victory of the Byzantine troops over the military crew of Stobi in eleventh century AD.

Affiliation: Balkan Heritage Field School/Foundation, National Institution Stobi and New Bulgarian University
Project Director: Silvana Blazhevska (Director of NI Stobi, MA in Archaeology)
Project Coordinators: Kalina Stoyanova (Balkan Heritage affiliated archaeologist and artefact illustrator, PhD student at the Department of Classical Archaeology, National Institute of Archaeology and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) and Jovan Radnyanski (archaeologist, NI Stobi).
Session dates: 15 - 29 June 2013
Application Deadlines: until the places are filled or latest 1 May, 2013
Minimum length of stay for volunteers: 1 session (14 days)
Minimum age: 18 (16, if the participant is accompanied by an adult family member)
Number of field school places available: Maximum 10
Language: English
Special requirements: Good command of manual operations. It is recommended that participants bring their laptops having at least 5 GB free disk space and a mouse. Operation system recommended: Windows XP or newer, Mac OSX or newer. 
Experience required: No
 
Room and Board arrangements: Participants will be accommodated in the archaeological base at the site, in rooms with two to three beds in cabins (recently renovated, air-conditioned, Wi Fi). Every cabin has 4 bedrooms + living room, 2 bathrooms with shower and WC. There is also a washing machine available. Participants are not expected to bring bedclothes or towels. Three meals per day are covered by the admission fee. Requests for vegetarian food are accepted!
Free time: Films and visits to the neighboring towns/villages are the options for the free time in the evenings. Guided visits to the towns of Bitola, Prilep and Ohrid and Ohrid lake (UNESCO World Heritage site) are organized for all field school participants during the weekend. Look-up at the suggested travel ideas before/after the field school (not included in the project package and not covered by the admission fee)!
 
The Admission fee includes educational and fieldwork activities, tools, materials, full-board accommodation (including three meals per day), Project Handbook, issue of Certificate of Attendance, excursions/sightseeing tours/entrance fees and administrative costs.

EARLY REGISTRATION BY APRIL 1st, 2013:

The Early bird admission fee for the Project is 1169 EUR (app.1419 USD. Check current exchange rates!).

REGISTRATION AFTER APRIL 1st, 2013

The regular admission fee for the Project is 1299 EUR (app.1579 USD. Check current exchange rates!)

 

DISCOUNTS OFF THE REGULAR ADMISSION FEE:

* 5% discount off the regular admission fee available in case of:

  1. Participation in more than 1 BH project or project session in 2013. (5% discount is valid for all projects/sessions to be attended).
  2. Membership in the Archaeological Institute of America.

* 7% discount off the regular admission fee available in case of:

  1. Small Groups (two or three people, who participate in a BH project in 2013 (the discount is valid for each participant for all projects/sessions to be attended). 

* 10% discount off the regular admission fee available in case of:

  1. Larger Groups (four or more people, who participate in a BH project in 2013 (the discount is valid for each participant for all projects/ sessions to be attended).
  2. Participation in any BH project/s in the past.
* 15% discount off the regular admission fee is available for Balkan Heritage alumni, who participate in more than one BH project or project session in 2013. (15% discount is valid only for the second, third etc. project/session to be attended).
NOTE, 7% OF EVERY ADMISSION FEE FOR THIS PROJECT DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE  BALKAN HERITAGE PROTECTION FUND’S ACTIVITIES!
 

Admission fee transfer options (for further information contact Admissions Office at bhfs.admissions@gmail.com):

• Bank transfer
• On-line transfers  

 

 
 
Balkan Heritage Field School Lecturers and Trainers:
  • Silvana Blazhevska (Director of NI Stobi, MA in Archaeology);
  • Kalina Stoyanova (Balkan Heritage affiliated archaeologist and artefact illustrator; PhD student at the Department of Classical Archaeology, National Institute of Archaeology and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) ;
  • Nina Turlakova (Balkan Heritage affiliated conservator);
  • Bilyana Yankulovska (conservator and archaeologist, NI Stobi)
  • Jovan Radnyanski (archaeologist, NI Stobi).

 

Lectures and workshops:

Lectures:

- Review of Basic Methods for Uncovering, “First aid”, Consolidation In situ, Cleaning, Sorting out and Storing of Ceramic Artefacts;

- Conservation and Restoration of Roman Pottery;

- Technology, Typology and Chronology of the Roman pottery with Examples from Stobi;

- Archaeological Record and Illustration of Roman pottery.

- Introduction in the Conservation and Restoration of ancient Glass  

- History of Stobi and Macedonia in the Roman Period (second century BC - sixth century AD);

Workshops

-Basic Methods for Uncovering, “First aid”, Consolidation In situ, Cleaning, Sorting out and Storing of Ceramic Artefacts – training/workshop;

-Conservation and Restoration of Roman Pottery (with fragmented pottery from Stobi) – 10 workshops;

-Archaeological Documentation and Illustration (drawing, graphic reconstruction,  image processing using graphic software, photographing, description etc.) of Roman Pottery – 5 workshops.

WORKSHOP AGENDA:

Dates
Activities

Day 1

 before 19.00 h* - Arrival at Stobi and check-in

 19.30 – 20.00 h - Orientation in Gradsko

 20.00 - 22.30 h - Traditional welcome dinner in Gradsko

*Participants, who travel by bus/train will be picked up from the Gradsko bus/railway station. Pick-up transfer from one of the nearest airports: Skopje (Macedonia) and Thessaloniki (Greece) is available upon request!

Day 2

9.00 - 9.30 h - Breakfast
9.30 - 11.30 h - Welcome and orientation panel: Presentation of National Institution Stobi, Balkan Heritage Field School, the project and participants. Orientation
11.30 – 11.45 h  - Coffee break
11.45 – 13.00 h - History of Stobi and Macedonia in the Roman period (second century BC - sixth century AD) LECTURE by Gotse Pavlovski (National Institute Stobi)
13.00 – 15.00 h - Lunch break and free time
15.00 – 16.00 h - From the field to the store – review of basic methods for uncovering, “first aid”, consolidation in situ, cleaning, sorting out, labeling, documenting and storing of ceramic artefacts - LECTURE by Kalina Stoyanova
16.00 – 18.30 h - Cleaning and sorting of Roman pottery shards - WORKSHOP by Jovan Radnyanski and Kalina Stoyanova
18.30 – 19.30 h  - Stobi sightseeing
20.00 –21.00 h  - Dinner 

Day 3

7.50 - 8.30 h - Breakfast
8.30 - 10.30 h - Technology, Typology and Chronology of Roman pottery with examples from Stobi – LECTURE by Jovan Radnyanski
10.30 - 11.00 h - Break
11.00- 13.00 h - Sorting and selecting of Roman pottery sherds– WORKSHOP by Jovan Radnyanski
13.00 - 15.30 h - Lunch break and free time
15.30 – 19.00 h - Conservation and restoration of Roman pottery - LECTURE AND WORKSHOP by Biljana Jankulovska **
20.00 - 21.00 h - Dinner   

 

Day 4

7.50 - 8.30 h - Breakfast
8.30 – 13.00 h - Conservation and restoration of Roman pottery-WORKSHOP by Biljana Jankulovska **
13.00 - 15.30 h - Lunch break and free time
15.30 – 19.00 h – Conservation and restoration of Roman pottery-WORKSHOP by Biljana Jankulovska **
20.00 - 21.00 h - Dinner

 

Day 5

7.50 - 8.30 h - Breakfast
8.30 – 13.00 h - Conservation and restoration of Roman pottery-WORKSHOP by Biljana Jankulovska **
13.00 - 15.30 h - Lunch break and free time
15.30 – 19.00 h - Archaeological documentation (drawing, graphic reconstruction, photographing, description, etc.) of Roman pottery-WORKSHOP by Kalina Stoyanova **
20.00 - 21.00 h - Dinner

 

Day 6

 7.50 - 8.30 h - Breakfast
8.30 – 13.00 h - Conservation and restoration of Roman pottery-WORKSHOP by Biljana Jankulovska **
13.00 - 14.00 h - Lunch break and free time
14.30 – 19.00 h - Visit to a local pottery workshop
20.00 - 21.00 h - Dinner

Day 7

8.00 - 9.00 h - Breakfast
9.00 - 19.00 h - Visit to the towns of Prilep and Bitola, as well as to the archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis
20.00 - 21.00 h - Dinner

Day 8

8.00 - 9.00 h - Breakfast
9.00 - 19.00 h - Visit to Ohrid (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Ohrid lake
20.00 - 21.00 h - Dinner

Day 9

7.50 - 8.30 h - Breakfast
8.30 – 13.00 h - Conservation and restoration of Roman pottery-WORKSHOP by Biljana Jankulovska **
13.00 - 15.30 h - Lunch break and free time
15.30 – 19.00 h - Archaeological documentation (drawing, graphic reconstruction, photographing, description, etc.) of Roman pottery-WORKSHOP by Jovan Radnyanski and Kalina Stoyanova **
20.00 - 21.00 h - Dinner

 

Day 10

7.50 - 8.30 h - Breakfast
8.30 – 13.00 h - Conservation and restoration of Roman pottery-WORKSHOP by Biljana Jankulovska *
13.00 - 15.30 h - Lunch break and free time
15.30 – 19.00 h - Archaeological documentation (drawing, graphic reconstruction, photographing, description, etc.) of Roman pottery-WORKSHOP by Jovan Radnyanski and Kalina Stoyanova **
20.00 - 21.00 h  - Dinner

 

Day 11

7.50 - 8.30 h - Breakfast
8.30 – 13.00 h - Conservation and restoration of Roman pottery-WORKSHOP by Biljana Jankulovska **
13.00 - 15.30 h - Lunch break and free time
15.30 – 19.00 h - Archaeological documentation - image processing using graphic software - WORKSHOP by Kalina Stoyanova **
20.00 - 21.00 h    - Dinner

 

Day 12

7.50 - 8.30 h - Breakfast
8.30 – 13.00 h - Conservation and restoration of Roman pottery-WORKSHOP by Biljana Jankulovska **
13.00 - 15.30 h - Lunch break and free time
15.30 – 19.00 h - Archaeological documentation - image processing using graphic software - WORKSHOP by Kalina Stoyanova **
20.00 - 21.00 h - Dinner 

 

Day 13

7.50 - 8.30 h - Breakfast
8.30 – 13.00 h - Introduction in the basic techniques of Conservation and Restoration of ancient Glass   -LECTURE by Nina Turlakova **
13.00 - 15.30 h - Lunch break and free time
15.30 – 18.00 h - Introduction in the basic techniques of Conservation and Restoration of ancient Glass   -LECTURE by Nina Turlakova **
20.00 - 21.00 h - Dinner


Day 14

7.50 - 8.30 h - Breakfast
8.30 – 10.30 h - Completing the restoration and documentation tasks –WORKSHOP by Biljana Jankulovska, Jovan Radnyanski and Kalina Stoyanova
10.30 - 10.50 h - Break
10.50 - 13.00 h - Presentation of the Workshop results. Evaluation meeting and conclusions
13.00 - 14.00 h - Lunch
14.00 – 20.00 h - Free time (optional excursion to Negotino, Kavadarci or Veles)
20.00 - ………… - Dinner and farewell party

Fill-in the BH query before leaving! This will help the BH team evaluate Your project and plan better the forthcoming activities in 2013.

Day 15 -

departure day

8.00 – 9.00 h - Breakfast
- Departure before 12.00 h


 * Our experience shows that the implementation of agenda may be sometimes more flexible than expected (depending on unexpected circumstances or staff engagements)! ;)
** Every workshop includes 20 min break.



APPLY ONLINE FOR ADMISSION TO THE WORKSHOP FOR CONSERVATION, RESTORATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ROMAN POTTERY!