The Institute of Archaeology, Iceland (Fornleifastofnun Íslands, FSÍ), was established in 1995 and carries out excavation and field survey throughout Iceland. The Field school was established in 1997 and forms part of a training program for students and specialists with a research interest in archaeology in the North Atlantic. The international field school is accredited by the City University of New York and administered in N America by the CUNY Northern Science & Education Center (NORSEC). N American students will be eligible for 3 to 6 undergraduate or graduate credits. N. American students should register through CUNY nabo@voicenet.com for details).
The aim of the course is to promote Icelandic archaeology and to encourage students to develop a research interest in the archaeology of the North Atlantic. It also aims to provide an insight into the technical and theoretical issues particular to the archaeology of Iceland and its North Atlantic context. The course will provide participants with:
The Field Course will be based at the Institute's excavation of Hofstaðir, an early Viking settlement at Mývatn in NE-Iceland, run jointly with NABO. The course involves a combination of training in the field, lectures and optional essay work. Teaching will be held at the Institute's research center at Hofstaðir and students will participate in the excavation and environmental research at and around the site.
Requirements The number of student places is limited. Preference will be given to those who already have specialized or intend to specialize in North Atlantic archaeology. Both graduate and undergraduate participants are accepted, but all should have had prior coursework in archaeology and some fieldwork experience. While we will accept some archaeologically inexperienced students who are otherwise well qualified, the course is best suited for those seeking to enhance their fieldwork and classroom experience in a stimulating international, interdisciplinary research environment. Participants will receive a short reading list of relevant material on the topics above, a project briefing manual and equipment list, and are expected to have acquainted themselves with these before their arrival in Iceland. Warning: Participants will be expected to observe the health and safety rules of the program. Offenders may be expelled
Diploma in Icelandic Archaeology (DIA) Participants may apply to receive a Diploma in Icelandic Archaeology. The DIA will be awarded on successful completion of an extended essay on a selected topic supervised by one or more of the Institute's academic staff. The DIA is valued as 6 course units in some American universities and plans are made for an EU accreditation of 15 points, or 5 Norwegian credits. Accreditation will be a matter for discussion with the individual university departments.
Dates The excavation and Field school at Hofstaðir takes place from late July to August, for four weeks. Allow two additional days of travel each end. Participants will be expected to stay for the duration. For exact dates please e-mail one of the contacts below.
Finances and work schedule The subsistence, housing, and local transportation fees are US $ 1.500 or equivalents plus airfare to Akureyri (N. Iceland). Students should contact their local overseas education department and faculty advisors to seek funding support. Qualified students lacking any other support can apply to have their fees waived. Work on site takes place from 8.00 to 17.00 with a half-hour lunch and two half-hour coffee breaks, Monday to Friday. In the evenings, experience and tuition in finds processing and data computerization will be given. Lectures and seminars take place on Saturday mornings. On Sundays, organized trips to places of local natural and historical interest are arranged.
How to Apply: N. American applications should be made to Dr. T.H. McGovern NORSEC, Hunter College CUNY, 695 Park Ave NYC10021, nabo@voicenet.com Applications from Europe should be made to Professor Christian Keller, Center for Viking and Medieval Studies, P.O. Box 1016 Blindern, N-0315 Oslo, NORWAY, fieldschool@mellomalder.uio.no
DEADLINE: April 1st. Included in the application should be a curriculum vitae, 2 references, and a brief description of academic interests and future plans. The Institute will send out a crew packet, a revised time-table and further information to successful applicants before June 1st. The FSI Field school is hosted by: Research collaboration with Mývatn Science Center, U Stirling, U Edinburgh, U Bradford and other institutions of the NABO cooperative. |
