2026 WINTER CERAMICS & DIGITAL RECORDING COURSE - NEW!
Our 3 week session will run November 29 - December 19, 2026.
Please visit our Apply & Contact page for the application form and our Logistics page for more information regarding flights & packing.
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Overview
Our 2026 Winter Course will focus on post-excavation analysis and will train students to transform ceramics and stratigraphic records into digital documentation. Over the course of three weeks, students will work with ceramics recovered from excavations at the Late Bronze Age settlement of Castelo Velho da Serra d’Ossa, and will learn how to draw vessel profiles, digitize these drawings in Adobe Illustrator, and classify material within an existing ceramic typology. The course combines hands-on work with the Castelo assemblage with seminars and field trips, giving students a practical introduction to ceramic drawing, analysis, and archaeological documentation. No prior experience in ceramic illustration or digitization is required. This course is designed as an introductory program and is intended for students with no previous experience in ceramic drawing. |
Mataloto, R. (2012). Os Senhores e as Serras: O Final da Idade do Bronze no Alentejo Central. In Ávila, J.J. (Ed.), Sidereum Ana II – El Río Guadiana en el Bronce Final (185-213). Mérida, Spain: CSIC
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Mataloto, R. (2012). Os Senhores e as Serras: O Final da Idade do Bronze no Alentejo Central. In Ávila, J.J. (Ed.), Sidereum Ana II – El Río Guadiana en el Bronce Final (185-213). Mérida, Spain: CSIC
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Ceramic Drawing & Digital Recording
Ceramic illustration will focus primarily on the drawing and reconstruction of vessel profiles, following standardized archaeological drawing conventions. An optional specialist session will be offered for participants wishing to develop skills in the illustration of decorated ceramics. Students will learn how to digitize ceramic drawings using Adobe Illustrator, resulting in the production of vector illustrations suitable for publication. Typology and Analysis Students will receive training in the application of typological classification to the ceramic dataset. Students will work with a dedicated analytical relational database of diagnostic ceramics derived from excavation, developed in Microsoft Access and designed to record drawn material and associated diagnostic attributes within the established typological framework. Stratigraphic Documentation Students will be introduced to the post-excavation digitization of paper records, including drawings of stratigraphic units and excavation plans. Using material from recent excavation seasons, they will learn how paper records are translated into digital formats. |
LIFE ON THE PROJECT
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Daily Schedule
The typical weekday schedule (Monday to Friday) will consist of the following. Please note that these times are approximates and are subject to change. 8:00-12:45 → Lab Work 10:30 → Snack break 13:00-15:00 → Lunch at restaurant (provided) 15:00-17:00 → Lab work 17:00-19:00 → Free time 19:00-20:30 → Dinner at home (provided) 20:30-whenever one is inclined to sleep → Free time 
Redondo, 2018.
Accommodation
Students will stay in a house 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 in each house. 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, air conditioning, or dryers in the houses, though heaters will be available as Portuguese houses are typically not insulated. Bedding will be provided. 
Example of accomodation, 2017.
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 quite affordable in Portugal) you may do this at the airport in Lisbon, though some shops sell SIM cards in Redondo. 
Redondo tower, 2022.
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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, you will be greeted by either Rui, Bianca, or Pouca and brought as a group to Redondo. At the end of the session, students will be brought back to the Lisbon airport. 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 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 and are encouraged to be open-minded when it comes to trying new foods! 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 can accommodate vegetarian diets (which will involve vegetarian students cooking for themselves 3 days a week, particularly for dinner, with ingredients provided), but any other dietary requirements must be discussed with one of the directors. Please note that personal preference is not considered a dietary requirement. 
Food, 2018-2019.
Health & Safety
Insurance (Health & Travel)
Pre-existing Medical Conditions & Medication
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