History student looks forward to excavating Roman site in Spain

In merely a month’s time, I along with two other Lincoln students, will be travelling to south-west Spain where we will be taking part in an archaeological excavation, supported by funding from the School of History and Heritage.

In the city of Merida lies, amongst a plethora of historical artefacts, a series of excavation sites revealing ancient Roman ruins. For a number of years, archaeologists have been painstakingly removing the ground to reveal an incredibly timeworn world beneath the feet of Merida’s residents.

We will be joined by excavation experts and fellow students from the mighty Oxford and various Spanish and Portuguese universities. I am looking forward to meeting so many new, and undoubtedly interesting people during my stay in Merida, and hope to develop my language skills. The experience will afford us students with an insight into how excavations are run, applicable for future job searching in the field. I think I can speak for all three of us when I say how grateful we ae to have been given this amazing opportunity.

A long with my trusty, and already worn in, steel toe-capped boots, I will be bringing with me some protective gloves and if I can get a hold of any, some kneepads. The latter of which has been recommended by more than one archaeologist. It will be strange to consider myself part of the grave-digging clique of historians, having spent most of my academic time digging through Google Scholar rather than Roman amphitheatres. The heat may be a bit more difficult to deal with given my Nordic skin-tone and very British disdain towards weather of any kind.

I trust that I will be in safe hands, given that it will be the first time I have spent more than two weeks in another foreign country (without my parents). But there is a first time for everything, and I believe this trip will hold many firsts for me.

Bradley Taylor (2nd year History and Politics student)

Funding to attend excavation and summer School in Mérida (Spain)

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:

jwood@lincoln.ac.uk

rportass@lincoln.ac.uk

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