THE FIELD SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

Excavation Techniques
In the field, students will be instructed on how to practice proper excavation techniques using tools such as a pickaxe, hand-pick, and trowel. Students will also learn how to identify various materials, artifacts, and features through first-hand experience. Students are expected to participate in all such aspects of excavation.  ​

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Survey
Students on the Castelo Project may have the opportunity to continue surveying the surrounding landscape during the 2024 season. 

Field Trips
Each Saturday (sometimes Sunday) we go on a field trip as a team to museums, archaeological sites, and other places of interest in both Spain and Portugal. In the past we have visited Évora, Badajoz, Mérida, Beja, Serpa, and local river-beaches. ​
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During some afternoons, students will have the opportunity to visit local sites and museums located in and around the town of Redondo. Redondo is home to the Castelo de Redondo (Castle of Redondo), Museu Regional do Vinho (Regional Wine Museum), and Museu de Barro (Clay Museum). 

Handling & Processing Materials
Following our day in the field, artifacts are brought back to our work and research space in Redondo. After lunch, students will spend time washing, sorting, and cataloging artifacts. Students that are particularly interested in lab work will have the opportunity to spend additional time working with these materials in the afternoons.

​Archaeological Illustration & Recording
Equally important to excavation is the recording of findings while in the field. Students will be taught how to draw stratigraphic contexts and take elevations with a dumpy level. Students will also learn how to fill out context sheets.

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LIFE ON THE PROJECT

Daily Schedule
The typical weekday schedule (Monday-Friday) will consist of the following. Please note that these times are approximates and are subject to change. 

6:30 am → Departure time. Students will be picked up from the dig house and driven to site. 
7:15-10:30 am → Fieldwork.
10:30 am → On-site break! Pack snacks. 
12:45 pm → Pack up and and prepare to leave site. Students will be driven back to town to have lunch. 
1:30-3:00 pm → Lunch (provided). 
3:00-6:00pm → Lab work; pottery washing & recording. 
6:00-8:00pm → Free time. 
8:00-10:00pm → Dinner (provided). 
10:00-whenever one is inclined to sleep → Free time!

Accommodation
​Students will be housed together in the town of Redondo. Most rooms will be shared by two or more students, and sometimes on bunk beds. Sleeping arrangements are gender-separated. Spaces are communal - there is a shared kitchen, bathrooms, washing machine, and dining room. Students are responsible for cleaning these spaces and doing the assigned chores each weekend. Students will do their own laundry. Please note that there is no wifi or air conditioning in the houses, though fans will be available. Students are advised to purchase an international data plan prior to arrival in Redondo.

The Town of Redondo
The town of Redondo is quite small but very friendly. During their free time, students are encouraged to explore and familiarize themselves with the town. Free wifi is available in various public spaces around town (including the pool) - make sure you bring your own cellphone or laptop. If you’d like to get a phone plan (cellular data plans are very cheap in Portugal) you may do this at the airport in Lisbon, though some shops sell SIM cards in Redondo. Students will also have access to the outdoor community pool - so make sure to bring your swimsuits! Please remember - members of the Castelo Project are guests to the Municipality of Redondo, and your behaviour reflects not just you, but on ours and other projects based in town. Respect for the town and its residents is of the utmost importance.

Transportation
Students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from Portugal (Lisbon airport) as airfare is not​ included in the tuition. Once in Portugal, transportation will be provided by the field school. Upon arrival at the Lisbon airport on Sunday, August 4th, students will be greeted by either Rui, Bianca, or Pouca and brought as a group to Redondo. At the end of the three week session or four week session, students will be brought back to the Lisbon airport or elsewhere in the city if they plan to stay in Portugal a while longer after the project. Please inform us of your travel plans as far in advance as possible. 

Meals
On weekdays, the field school provides students with three meals per day. Breakfast is provided at the dig house and students are expected to prepare it themselves. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Dinner is provided by a local restaurant but eaten at home. Students should expect to eat a great deal of local Alentejan cuisine. The project will do its best to accommodate dietary needs, but students must inform us of any dietary requirements,  and/or allergies in their forms. Due to the nature of Alentejan cuisine, we are able to accommodate vegetarian diets, but any other dietary requirements must be discussed with one of the directors. 

Health & Safety
Insurance (Health & Travel)

• All participants on the excavation are required to provide their own health and/or travel insurance. Please make sure it will cover medical care in Portugal. 

Pre-existing Medical Conditions & Medication

• Students should also make sure to inform us of any medical conditions prior to payment.
• Students are responsible for bringing the correct quantity of any necessary medications. There is a pharmacy and a health centre located in Redondo, in addition to a hospital in the nearby town of Évora (35 mins away), in the event of an emergency. 

Field Conditions & Physical Labour

• Archaeological fieldwork involves doing a great deal of manual labour. It can be difficult, physically challenging, and hot as summers in the Alentejo are extremely warm and dry. Students are expected to spend many hours outside in this heat, partaking in fieldwork. Students are expected to help load and unload tools daily.
• We take the health and safety of all field school students very seriously. As we care very much about maintaining a safe environment, all students are expected to bring at least two litres of water and a snack to site everyday, apply sunscreen, wear sturdy shoes (no open-toed shoes are allowed on-site and hiking/work books are recommended), and talk openly with directors about any concerns. If you are not feeling well on site, tell someone - we want every student to be safe.