The School of History and Heritage at the University of Lincoln is pleased to announce that it plans to provide two or three bursaries for students to attend an excavation and summer school in Spain in July 2015. This represents an excellent opportunity to take part in an established and internationally respected series of archaeological excavations in perhaps the best preserved Roman city in western Europe. Having both participated in this scheme (you can see some of Dr Jamie Wood’s pictures from this year’s course here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/making-digital-history/sets/72157646337597745/), we can assure you that this is a wonderful experience that will add lustre to your CVs and help you to gain new insights and perspectives on archaeology and the role it plays in shaping our interpretations and understanding of the past. On top of all of this, this excavation and summer school will help you to polish those all-important transferable skills such as teamwork, collegiality and leadership.
2-3 bursaries worth £500.00 will be awarded to successful student applicants. Each bursary will comfortably cover the enrolment fee (which last year cost £350); this includes three meals a day, accommodation in a comfortable student hall of residence, and two or three day trips organised by the host institution, the Consorcio de Arqueología de Mérida. All archaeological instruction and training on-site, plus a series of site visits and evening lectures given by expert speakers from Spain and the UK, are also included in the enrolment fee. If travelling arrangements are made well in advance, it is envisaged that transport to Mérida (flight to Madrid or Seville, followed by train or bus) would also be covered by the bursary. Students will, however, be expected to provide their personal spending money and insurance, but remember that nearly all meals (you will have to arrange your own food on Sundays, for example) and accommodation are included in the enrolment fee.
Please note that excavation takes place five days a week, and July in Mérida can be extremely hot; for this reason, excavation takes place in the (early) mornings so as to minimise exposure to the sun during the hottest part of the day. Afternoons provide the opportunity to relax or else to explore a city that was a major urban centre under Roman and, later, Caliphal rule (for more on the city and its monuments see this UNESCO website: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/664).
Selection Criteria
This opportunity is open to all Level 2 students.
However:
- Preference will be given to students who are studying modules in Medieval History at Level 2.
- Preference will be given to students who have some knowledge of Spanish (e.g. GCSE, A Level or demonstrable experience in the language).
- Preference will be given to students who achieved an average of over 60 in examination at Level 1.
If you would like to apply, and we strongly encourage you to do so, please write a short statement of 300 words explaining why you think archaeology is important for the study of history and how your attendance would benefit your degree. You should also include details of (a) any medieval modules you are doing this year and (b) any Spanish language qualifications you have or other relevant experience you would like to bring to our attention. All applications will be considered. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this opportunity, please contact either of us at:
To be considered for one of these bursaries, please send your expression of interest, plus your supporting statement, to both of the above email addresses by 9am on Wednesday 22 October 2014.
Further details for successful applicants will follow in due course. We anticipate being able to give you a decision by the first week of November.
Best wishes,
Dr Jamie Wood
Dr Robert Portass