Archaeological Techniques and Research Center

 OSTEOLOGY WORKSHOPS

          These osteology workshops will take place in Cluj-Napoca a city rich in history and culture, as it is reflected in its name: Cluj, the Dacian fortress, and Napoca, the Roman city. It is very cosmopolitan town, featuring a world renowned university, theaters, an opera hall and a multitude of restaurants and pubs throughout the old city.

          Students and volunteers will be housed in double or triple occupancy rooms within walking distance from downtown Cluj-Napoca and the Museum. Cluj-Napoca has a plethora of pubs, restaurants and fast food joints. One can readely enjoy very good pub fare as well as Romanian traditional cuisine, accompanied with an assortment of great local wines or beer. Although prices have skyrocketed as the city became one of the most important cultural and economic centers of Romania, the cost of food has remained relatively low. There are plenty of stores and supermarkets that can fulfill almost any need.

 

 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS

 Neolithic and Bronze Age Excavations

          The Soimeni project is located in the foothills above the village of Pauleni Ciuc. We will be camping near the archaeological site, with a majestic vista of the Ciuc Depression. Since we are camping in the mountains, volunteers should expect the days to be quite warm and the evenings to be chilly – pack accordingly! A good sleeping bag is a must, and a raincoat and warm jacket is also recommended.

          There are shops in nearby Pauleni Ciuc where volunteers will have the opportunity to purchase fresh food daily. There are regularly scheduled buses and taxis from Pauleni Ciuc to the nearby city of Miercurea Ciuc, where volunteers can find a variety of stores and trains to tourist destinations. Hard work deserves rest and relaxation, which can be found in both the village and the city. There is a swimming pool in the nearby village, and the city is home to many excellent pizzerias and restaurants, including an excellent eatery at the city’s Heineken brewery.

Dacian Fortress Excavation

         Our project is situated a few kilometers from the village of Racos. We will be staying in small and cozy wild camping sites, about 15 min walk from the excavation area. Be aware, while the temperatures might get quite hot during the day, it will be significantly cooler at night, so consider bringing a few sweaters and a warm sleeping bag. Regardless of the project, we always get a few days of rain, therefore a water resistant tent is a must. There are several mountain rivers near the campsite, they are excellent for bathing, washing, and fishing.

          There are several other villages within a few miles radius from the camp. There, basic toiletries and food can be bought at a reasonable price. Banking and health services can be accessed from the nearby towns, which are less than 30min drive from the sites.

Roman Frontier Excavation

          Our excavation is situated a few kilometers from the town of Rasnov, near Brasov, over flat terrain. We will be camping right next to the excavation area. Be aware, while the temperatures might get quite hot during the day, it will be significantly cooler at night, so consider bringing a few sweaters and a warm sleeping bag. Regardless of the project, we always get a few days of rain, therefore a water resistant tent is a must. There is a large river, the Barsa, near the campsite, which is excellent for bathing and washing.

           Rasnov is a developing tourist town, so while covering our basic needs (food, water, toiletries) and essential services, it has many attractions, restaurants, bars, and places to stay to make it a nice place hang around on our weekends off. If you can’t find it in Rasnov, the city of Brasov, one of the largest cities in Transylvania, is only 15km away.

Cooking in the field

          We will be cooking on the open fire and gas stoves. In the mornings, we will generally have a light snack consisting of tea/coffee, and sandwiches. Second breakfast and lunch will be eaten during rest breaks on site. Excellent quality cheese and dairy products as well as fresh vegetables can be bought locally from villagers. Since physical work in the field will be demanding, meat or another good source of proteins should be consumed for dinner (BBQs are very popular in the field).