Balkan heritage projects 2012:
APOLLONIA PONTICA EXCAVATION PROJECT

 
 
Project type: field school (excavations)
THE PROJECT IS SUITABLE FOR BOTH BEGINNERS AND ADVANCED PARTICIPANTS IN FIELD ARCHAEOLOGY!
 
Site/s: Sector of the the sacred precinct (temenos) of the ancient city of Apollonia Pontica on St. Kirik Island, Sozopol, Bulgaria.
Period(s) of occupation: Archaic and Classical Greek and Early Byzantine (seventh - fifth century BC and fifth - seventh century AD)

The Nearest Air Terminals: Burgas airport (45 km), Varna airport (160 km). Don't forget checking the low cost  flight options!
Travel/access to the site: Sozopol, Bulgaria is a small town but very popular tourist destination on the Black sea coast. Bus lines connect the city with Burgas and Sofia (the Bulgarian capital). A direct pick-up transfer to Sozopol may be arranged upon request from Burgas and Varna. The transfer's price may vary from 20 to 100 EUR depending on the number of passengers and the distance. Ask for details!

Description: Despite being one of the largest and richest Ancient Greek colonies in the Black sea region, Apollonia Pontica (present-day Sozopol, Bulgria) was famous in Antiquity because of the colossal statue of Apollo by Calamis. According to Pliny the Elder (Pliny 34.29) and Strabo (Strabo, 7.319) the 13-meter high bronze sculpture cost 500 Talents. It was raised in the fifth  century BC in/in front of the temple dedicated to Apollo Ietros (the Healer) - patron deity of Apollonia Pontica. In 72 BC the Romans  under Marcus Lucullus sacked the city and the colossal sculpture was transported to Rome as a trophy. It was exhibited for several centuries on the Capitoline Hill. During the Early Christian period it was lost - probably destroyed as many other pagan artefacts were.

Epigraphic sources mention that the temple of Apollo was situated on an island, identified by most of the scholars with St. Kirik Island - the closest one to the ancient city. However, until recently there was no archaeological evidence suggesting where the temple was situated.

The tiny island of St. Kirik is connected with the mainland  and the Old Town Quarter of Sozopol by a short and narrow breakwater (built in 1927). Its name originates  from the medieval monastery dedicated to St. Kirik and St.Yulita (St. Cyricus and his mother St. Julitta) that once existed there. The first archaeological survey on the island was conducted in 1904 by the French consul and scholar L. Degrand. The results from the excavations were never published and many precious artefacts from Archaic and Classical Greek period found there were transported to France and exhibited in the Louvre. For approximately 100 years after that the territory of St. Kirik Island was used as a military zone by the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence. In 2005 the island was demilitarized and in 2009 the Apollonia Pontica Excavation Team lead by Dr. Krastina Panayotova restarted the excavations.  For the last three years the team unearthed there:

  • An Archaic Greek settlement that existed here prior to the temenos (seventh-sixth century BC)
  • A Late Archaic temple complex: a temple and an altar (late sixth - early fifth century BC) - presumably belonging to the famous temple of Apollo; 
  • An oval altar and a temple from the Hellenistic period (fourth century BC);
  • An Ancient Greek tholos;
  • Three Ancient Greek bothroi (pit altars);
  • An Ancient Greek Copper Foundry; 
  • Early Byzantine basilica and necropolis (fifth - seventh century AD).
The great discovery convinced the Bulgarian Government to declare the island a cultural heritage sight and designate some of the abandoned military buildings  to be turned into a museum. After the surrounding area is excavated, of course.
 
Season 2012 envisions excavations at the top of the island in the area west from the Archaic temple and north from the Ancient Greek Copper Foundry where presumably structures and features of the Ancient Greek sacred precinct (temenos) and the Early Byzantine necropolis are expected to be found.
Come and help the project team reveal the secrets of the forgotten temple of Apollo! Two field school sessions of the project are available in 2012 - each includes the following three modules: fieldwork including maintaining a field journal on a daily basis, filling out context sheets and labels, drawing an elevation plan/a ground plan/a cross-section, 3D positioning of finds, taking coordinates with a level device, and taking photographs at the site; lectures, workshops and field trainings in Classic and Field Archaeology as well as Finds processing and documentation and excursions to archaeological and cultural sites in Sozopol and Nesebar (UNESCO World Heritage Site) as well as to some beautiful Black sea beaches and popular resorts (refer to the Course description and Field school agenda!).
 
Participants, who join the two project sessions are going to have different schedule during the second session, including:
  1. An excursion to the megalithic complex of Begliktash and one of beaches in the area (it will take place during the second session exclusively for participants in both project sessions);
  2. (In the afternoons) Lab work related to the finds' processing, archaeological recording and illustration of artifacts as well as conservation and restoration of pottery (esp. Ancient Greek 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 credits  to students 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: Apollonia Pontica is one of the most ancient towns on the Western Black Sea coast. The city, founded by Miletian colonists around 610 BC, was named Apollonia Pontica, in honour of the patron deity of Miletus – Apollo. The Ancient authors identify the philosopher named Anaximander as the founder of the city. It became an autonomous and strong democratic polis and important trade center between Ancient Greece and Thrace. Thanks to its strong navy and naturally protected harbors, Apollonia kept control of the major merchant road along the Western Black Sea Coast called Via Pontica for several centuries. The city preserved its independence during the campaigns of Phillip II of Macedon (342-339 BC) and Alexander the Great (335 BC) but in 72 BC it was conquered, pillaged and burned by the Roman legions of Marcus Lucullus. The victors took the most prized trophy to Rome: the statue of Apollo. The city succeeded in restoring its former glory and was known in the Roman World as Apollonia Magna (Great Apollonia). Following the Christian mainstream tradition, its name was changed to Sozopol in the 4th century AD. Despite the damage, it survived the period of the Great Migration of People (4-7 century AD) and entered the Middle ages as a focal point of long-lasting Byzantine-Bulgarian conflicts.
 
Affiliation: Balkan Heritage Field School/Foundation, Apollonia Pontica Excavation Team, Archaeological Museum of Sozopol, New Bulgarian University (Bulgaria)
Dig Director: Dr. Krastina Panayotova (Associated Professor, Department of Classic Archaeology, National Institute of Archaeology and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Balkan Heritage affiliated archaeologist)
Project Coordinator and Deputy Dig Director: Teodora Bogdanova (Balkan Heritage affiliated archaeologist; PhD student - Department of Classic Archaeology, National Institute of Archaeology and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences)
Season dates: 1 - 30 August. 2012
Sessions' dates:
Field school session 1: 1 - 15 August, 2012
Field school session 2: 16 - 30 August, 2012
Application Deadlines: Field school session 1: 1 July 2012; Field school session 2: 15 July 2012   
Minimum length of stay for volunteers: 1 session (two weeks)
Minimum age: 18
Number of field school places available: Maximum 35

Language: English
Special requirements: The project is not recommended for individuals with solar allergies or other special illnesses that might be exacerbated during the intensive outdoor activities. The average summer temperatures in the area are 25-35 C or higher. All participants should bring clothes and cosmetics suitable for hot and sunny weather bear in mind that chilly and windy days are very rare but not uncommon. All participants are expected to have some (at least theoretical) background in archaeological field techniques and methods. Participants will use the tools and equipment available at the site and are not expected to bring any additional equipment.
Experience required: No

...

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 
Balkan Heritage Field School Instructors and Trainers:
  • Dr. Krastina Panayotova (Associated Professor, Department of Classic Archaeology, National Institute of Archaeology and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Balkan Heritage affiliated archaeologist);
  • Teodora Bogdanova (Balkan Heritage affiliated archaeologist; PhD student - Department of Classic Archaeology, National Institute of Archaeology and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences);
  • Dr. Margarit Damyanov (Assistant Professor at the Department of Thracian studies of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Guesting lecturer at Sofia University, Bulgaria; Editor at National Geographic Magazine, Bulgaria);
  • Nayden Prahov (Balkan Heritage Program Director; PhD student - Department of Archaeology at Sofia University, Bulgaria);
  • Dragomir Garbov (Archaeologist, New Bulgarian University) etc.

 

Lectures, workshops and field trainings:

 
Designing of archaeological research
  • Preliminary research (indoor stage);
  • Fieldwalking and site recording;
  • Techniques and methods of preliminary archaeological research;

 

Excavation
  • Use of tools and working techniques;
  • Methodology and excavation practices;
  • Stratigraphy and chronology. The Haris Matrix;

 

Field and graphic documentation
  • Field journal, field finds' catalogue and context sheets;
  • Record cards and bag labels (tags);
  • Graphic documentation (drawn record): drawings of cross-section,  plan, architectural structure (optional), grave (optional);
  • Photographic records;

 

Artifacts
  • Artefact recording and illustration;
  • Storage of artifacts;
  • "First aid" and consolidation in situ (optional);

 

Historical and cultural context of the site

  • History of Greek Colonisation of the Western Black Sea Coast (seventh - fifth century BC);
  • History of Apollonia Pontica in Antiquity (seventh century BC - sixth century AD);
  • Technology, Typology and Chronology of Ancient Greek and Hellenistic pottery with examples from Apollonia Pontica;
  • Ancient Greek Architecture with Examples from the Western Black Sea Coast; 
  • Ancient Greek Cemeteries and Funeral Rites with examples from the Western Black Sea Coast.

FIELD SCHOOL AGENDA:

Dates
Activities
Notes
First day
before 6.30 pm - Arrival at the hotel. Registration and check-in.
8.00 - 9.30 pm - Traditional Bulgarian welcome dinner.

A pick-up may be arranged from Burgas and Varna airports, train or bus stations upon request.

Second day

Presentation of Balkan Heritage Foundation and Field School, Apollonia Pontica Excavation Team, Archaeological Museum of Sozopol, the project and participants. Ice-breaking. Town-sightseeing and orientation walk.

During the second session participants, who join two project sessions will follow the agenda concerning regular working days.

Working days
 

6.30 - 7.10 am - Breakfast
7.10-7.30 am - Walk to the excavation site;
7.30 am - 1.00 pm – Fieldwork, including 30 min break*
1.00-5.30 pm - Lunch and Siesta break
5.30-6.30/7.30 pm – Lectures/Workshops/Lab work
8.00-9.00 pm - Dinner

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

Lectures and workshops in the area of Ancient Greek history and Archaeology/Finds processing

During free time our team could organize/assist participants in organizing various leisure activities: beach-visits, clubbing, attending cultural events etc.

Mid-project

weekend:

Saturday

Visit to the ancient coastal city of Nesebar (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Participants, who join both project sessions will participate in an excursion to the megalithic complex of Begliktash and one of the beaches in the area during the second session.

Mid-project

weekend:

Sunday

Day off

 

Last day

Departure

Room and Board arrangements:  In hotel "Sozopol", in comfortable rooms (with two to three beds, bathrooms with WC and shower), equipped with air-conditioning and TV. Wi-Fi is available on the first floor of the hotel.  The hotel is located very close to the beaches, the Old Town Quarter, the Archaeological Museum and the site (10 min by walking). Single rooms are available upon request for an additional fee of 350 EUR per project session. Three meals per day are covered by the admission fee. Requests for vegetarian food are accepted!
Free time: Guided visits around the towns of Sozopol and Nesebar (UNESCO World Heritage Site) will be organized for all field school participants. During the siesta and free time field school participants will be able to visit the town beaches and enjoy  the town's ambiance. During the summer Sozopol offers a lot of opportunities for sport and entertainment. 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, full-board accommodation (hotel + 3 meals per day), tools, materials, excursions/sightseeing tours/entrance fees, Project handbook, issue of Certificate of Attendance and administrative costs.

EARLY REGISTRATION BY JANUARY 31st, 2012:

The Early bird admission fee for 1 project session is 1259 EUR (app.1619 USD Check current exchange rates!).

The Early bird admission fee for 2 project sessions is 2518 EUR (app. 3229 USD. Check current exchange rates!

REGISTRATION AFTER JANUARY 31st, 2012

The regular admission fee for 1 project session is 1399 EUR (app.1799 USD. Check current exchange rates!)

The regular admission fee for 2 project sessions is 2658 EUR / app. 3439 USD. (Includes 5% discount for participation in 2 sessions). 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 2012. (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 2012 (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 2012 (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 2012. (15% discount is valid only for the second, third etc. project/session to be attended).

NOTE, 5% OF EVERY ADMISSION FEE FOR THIS PROJECT DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE BALKAN HERITAGE PROTECTION FUND’S ACTIVITIES!

APPLY ONLINE FOR ADMISSION TO THE APOLLONIA PONTICA EXCAVATION PROJECT!