The Field School

The Idalion Field School will take place from June 22 to August 7, 2009.

It is a hands-on course in field archaeology. Excavation Director Dr. Pamela Gaber and her staff offer a full curriculum including field work, illustrated lectures, and trips to other sites and museums. Students participate as full-fledged team members while earning university credit. No prior archaeological experience is necessary.

On site you will learn to dig, keep detailed field notes, and draw structures and features. At the dig house, you will process artifacts and ecofacts. Formal lectures by staff and visiting scholars as well as field trips to other archaeological sites are included.

You will be graded on the basis of fieldwork, a daily journal, and an oral presentation. Graduate students must also prepare a research paper.

A student who successfully completes the Idalion Field School is fully qualified to join an excavation as as assistant supervisor, as several former field school students have.

Undergraduate credit can be earned through Lycoming College as a 4-credit course in 'Field Archaeology' (REL 401). The college tuition fee for the 4-credit course is $2,328. An additional two credits may be added (+$1,164), for which a research paper will be required. The dig fee is $3,850. This covers field trips, room, and weekday meals. It does not include round-trip air fare. A $75 non-refundable registration fee to hold one's place on the dig will be applied to the total dig fee (see below).

Except for dig excursions, students are responsible for all transportation costs on and off the island.

All costs are subject to change

Application Information

In order to participate in the field school, please take the following steps (you might want to highlight and print off these instructions):

1. Download, print and complete the application form (.pdf) that is located on this website. Click on Dig Application Form. If you cannot download or print the form, e-mail Steve Johnson at johnson@lycoming.edu and he will send you a form by mail.



2. Mail the completed application materials to the following address:

   Idalion Expedition--Dr. Pamela Gaber
   AC Box 3

   Lycoming College

   700 College Place

   Williamsport, PA 17701

3. If and when you hear of your acceptance on the dig, send in a $75 registration fee to hold your place on the dig. The check should be made out to "Lycoming College " and sent to the above address. Field school students living outside of North America should send a cashier's check (bank cheque).



4. If you are not a Lycoming College student, but wish to receive academic credit for participating in the Idalion Field School, e-mail the Assistant Director of Admissions, Joseph Balduino and ask for a Non-Degree Student Application Form: balduino@lycoming.edu (If you are a Lyco student, contact the Registrar, Mary Savoy, for more information)



5. When you receive this application form, return it to the Office of Admissions with a check covering the cost of tuition. Tuition will be $2,328 (or $3,492 for 6 credits). Make your check payable to "Lycoming College." Indicate on the application that you will be registering for REL 401: Field Archaeology, for the 2008 Summer I term, and the college will waive the $35 application fee. Registration for summer classes opens on March 5; if you apply early, the Office of Admissions will hold your registration form and tuition check until that date, and then send it on to the Office of the Registrar. The deadline for course registration is Wednesday, June 4, so you will want to return the application with tuition by Friday, May 23.

   Admissions Office
   Lycoming College
   Williamsport, PA 17701

6. For payment of your dig fee ($3,850), address a check (or bank cheque) to "Lycoming College" and send it to

   Idalion Expedition--Dr. Pamela Gaber
   AC Box 3

   Lycoming College

   700 College Place

   Williamsport, PA 17701

   The deadline for payment of the dig fee has been extended to June 7.



7. Along with your volunteer application form, you will receive further information on preparing for the dig. If you do not have a current passport, contact your local prothonotary (at the county court house) immediately and find out what you need to do to initiate the process. Allow TWO MONTHS from time of application to receiving your passport.

Dr. Johnson can also be contacted for further information at (570) 321-4283 or johnson@lycoming.edu.

Return to Idalion