Program Overview

---

Introduction to the Caere Excavation Project

The Caere Excavation Project is an archaeological excavation of an Etruscan city in central Italy. The project is led by Queen's University and offers students an intensive introduction to archaeological methods and interpretation.

Program Details

Caere Course Option

The Caere Excavation Project offers a course option, CLST 409 / CLAS 809, which is a 6.0 unit Archaeology Fieldwork Practicum II. The course provides an introduction to archaeological methods and interpretation, including laboratory practice and field activities.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on their field excavation techniques, which they will apply at the site under the instructor's supervision. Students are expected to keep careful excavation notebooks according to the procedures and forms specified by the project. The supervisor will also appraise the student's progress and achievement.

Pre-requisites

Permission of the Department is required in advance. Classics concentrators will be given preference. Students must have second-year standing or above and must have taken one of CLST 303, 304, 305, or 306.

Enrolment

The enrolment limit is 30 students. Students are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible, as the number of places is limited.

Course Fee

The course fee is $3,600 CAD, which includes housing and dinner from Mondays to Fridays, trips to sites and museums, and museum tickets.

Funding Opportunities

Participants in the excavation are encouraged to apply for travel awards.

Field Activities

Field activities will include classes on Etruscan and Roman archaeology, field methods of archaeology, and other topics of interest. Weekend day trips to Rome and to Etruscan and Roman sites and museums of the region will also be organized.

Accommodation and Meals

Participants in the Caere Excavation are housed in rental properties in the town of Cerveteri. Breakfast and lunch are self-catering, while dinner is provided at a restaurant and pizzeria in Cerveteri.

Excavation Dates

The 2026 excavation dates are May 23rd to June 20th.

Research Areas

The project is investigating a subterranean building in the centre of the city, the so-called "Hypogeum of Clepsina" featuring wall paintings, inscriptions, and scenic architecture. The excavation will also explore the urban area near the hypogeum, where a regular urbanization pattern is coming to light, and explore a network of tunnels and wells dug beneath the ancient city.

Publications

There are several publications related to the Caere Excavation Project, including:

• F. Colivicchi, 'After the Fall: Caere after 273 B.C.E.' Etruscan Studies 18:2, 2015, pp. 178-199.
• F. Colivicchi, G.L. Gregori, M. Lanza, A. Lepone, M. Scalici, A. Trentacoste, C. Zaccagnino) 'New excavations in the urban area of Caere ),' Mouseion, 13:2, 2016, pp. 359-450.
• F. Colivicchi, B. Klempan and K. Helwig, 'Examination and analysis of Etruscan wall paintings at Caere, Italy,' Archaeometry, vol. 59, issue 6, December 2017, pp. . (first published online 26 April 2017)