Location:

Irakleion, Greece

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

Engaging Local Communities in Heritage Management through Archaeological Ethnography (1 July-22 July, 2017)

The summer school Engaging Local Communities in Heritage Management through Archaeological Ethnography provides an excellent and unique opportunity for participants to acquire training in the fields of archaeological ethnography, community archaeology and heritage management, while they delve into the life of a rural community in mountainous Crete.

It is part of the Three Peak Sanctuaries of Central Crete archaeological project that investigates the Minoan peak sanctuaries of Philioremos, Pyrgos and Keria situated in the rocky mountainous province of Malevyzi,in central Crete. Throughout the duration of the project, ethnographic research is conducted in the area, focusing especially in the village of Gonies, within walking distance from the peak sanctuary of Philioremos. Gonies was one of the largest villages in the region. Possessing a very strong pastoralist and agricultural economy, it significantly contributed to the culture and history of the island. However, post-WWII out-migration and urbanization severely depopulated the village and its surroundings, leaving it with a mere 200 inhabitants.

In the project’s involvement in Gonies, the public aspect of the archaeological fieldwork is very pronounced. As a team, we try to work closely with the local community, consulting inhabitants in all decisions taken on the future of the archaeological process itself. We also attempt to demonstrate how the peak sanctuaries of the area may serve as a means to rejuvenate the local economy and community in sustainable ways.

Archaeological ethnography is an integral part of our research in Gonies. As a holistic research approach it aims to understand local people within their social and cultural environments. Also, it seeks to closely investigate the involvement of locals with their material and intangible heritage in general, and the remains of various peak sanctuaries scattered around its area. We address the issues arising in the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of cultural heritage through our research and our public engagement with the village, local and national stakeholders. Our goal is to develop a public archaeology program that will contribute to the sustainable development of the area. In order to achieve this objective, a full understanding of the local context is necessary, as well as the creation of strong cooperative bonds between the project and the village. Ethnography helps us to more deeply involve the local population in creating anthropological and historical knowledge about the village, the archaeological site and its significance in changing historical settings.

The research theme for the 2018 field school is Memories of the Second World War. Placed within the theoretical framework of contemporary archaeology, oral history, difficult heritage, memory, and trauma, we will investigate how locals recall World War II, its aftermath on themselves and the village, their perceptions about victims and perpetrators, as well as the silences or the difficult stories that remain untold. We will research the complex nature of trauma, how it affects the experience of survivor narratives, how it can act as testimony and documentation, whilst being integrated into the informants’ life stories.

The students’ primary responsibility will be to assist the members of staff to conduct ethnographic and oral history research. Hence, students will be trained to employ various ethnographic techniques, such as direct and participant observation, interviews, focus groups, and hands-on audiovisual practice with photography and video, in collaboration with the staff members, the cinematographer in residency and the local community.

Setting Description:

Students will stay in adequate, clean and basic accommodation in the village of Gonies. Rooms are shared and full board meals are catered (including breakfast, sandwich lunch, and dinner – some special dietary needs may be accommodated, please contact us for details).

Cost:

5000 USD. The participation cost for this program is $5000. This covers all course costs including: registration; tuition; program materials; shared accommodation; one meal per day (excluding free days). Airfare and optional trips on free days are not included in the program cost.

Additional Program Information

Requirements:

There are no prerequisites for participating in this field school, however participants should be of 18 years of age or older. Students should be aware that this is an archaeological project and work will be done mostly outdoors; weather conditions, therefore, will have an impact on work and students should come prepared for any weather conditions, especially hot, dry, and sunny. The language of instruction is English. Command of the Greek language is an advantage as only 4 places are reserved for non-Greek speakers.

Scholarships:

Yes

Scholarships Description:

here is a number of tutorial post-graduate half-fellowships available for this field school– fellowships are awarded after acceptance into the program, so please apply early for eligibility. Please contact us for more information.