This program is coordinated by the University of Florida Study Abroad Office, in cooperation with the University of Florida Department of History
PROGRAM DATES: The overseas component of the program will officially begin in Romania on Tuesday, May 27 and will end on Friday, June 20, 2003. In addition to the overseas component, participants will also be required to attend classes that will take place in Gainesville, FL on the University of Florida campus between May 12 and May 23, 2003. The class meetings will take place every day, from Monday to Friday, in Flint Hall, room 111, between 3:30 and 4:45.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Florin Curta, assistant professor of Medieval History and Archaeology in the Department of History, has taught Medieval Archaeology at the University of Florida in 2002, and has directed the field school in Ireland.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of this program is to teach practical archaeological skills in a research environment. The field school is part of a joint program of excavations focusing on the site of Lazuri and the surrounding in the Some? Valley in the northwestern part of Transylvania, Romania. Lazuri is a multi-layered site used for nearly 1,200 years and encompasses the Bronze, the early Iron Age (including remains of a Celtic settlement), the late antique (third- to fourth-century settlement with pottery kilns), and the early medieval periods in the region’s history. The valley’s long occupation period, coupled with the diversity of archaeological cultures present in the area, make it an ideal training ground in archaeological methodology and provide ample evidence for introducing participants to the fascinating aspects of medieval archaeology. This field school is undertaken in conjunction with the Institute of Archaeology and Art History in Cluj-Napoca and the District Museum in Satu Mare.
Through participation in this program,
participants will gain the following:
THE SITE OF THE PROGRAM: Transylvania is a region in central Romania, an elevated plateau entirely surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains (the so-called Transylvanian Alps). The chief rivers, including the Somes, are tributaries to the Tisza, itself a tributary of the Danube. Part of the Roman province of Dacia (except the northern and northwestern regions), it was a also a part of the medieval kingdom of Hungary, between ca. 1000 and 1526. Lazuri is first attested in a charter of the Hungarian king in A.D.1200. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Transylvania was a separate principality under the protection of the Ottomans. By 1700, however, it has been incorporated into the Habsburg Empire, but beginning with 1867, it was ruled from Budapest within the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary. Following World War I, Transylvania became part of Romania on December 1, 1918 (the Romanian national day). During World War II, the northern and northwestern part was given to Hungary, only to be returned to Romania after the war.
Lazuri: Lazuri in the district of Satu Mare, northwestern Transylvania. It is located on a high terrace on the right bank of the Somes River, at an equal distance from both Satu Mare and the Romanian-Hungarian border. As a consequence, the population is predominantly Hungarian, but also bilingual (Romanian and Hungarian). Lazuri is located in a region of temperate climate (summer average temperature of 68° F), and the primary economy is agriculture. This region is full of history and is ideal for an archaeological expedition. For more information, please visit the commune’s website at www.cjsm.ro/lazuri.
PROGRAM ACADEMIC CREDIT: For satisfactory participation in the program, participants will receive 6 semester hours of undergraduate or graduate credit in HIS-4956, Overseas Study in History. The course taken while participating in this program cannot be audited.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS AND MEALS: From May 27 through June 20, participants will reside in a Bed & Breakfast inn with two students per room, sharing bath and toilet facilities. The B&B is in downtown Satu Mare, not far from the local swimming pool. Meals are provided throughout the period of residency, with breakfast before work and evening meals including (but not restricted to) traditional Romanian cuisine. Lunches are packed. Beverages (alcohol or soft drinks) are not included in the program cost. Participants are required to treat our hosts with respect.
LAND TRANSPORTATION: The group will travel by vehicle to and from the excavation site each day. The District Museum Satu Mare as part of the program cost provides this transportation.
AIR TRANSPORTATION: Individuals will be responsible for making their own air travel arrangements between the US and Budapest, Hungary, and for purchasing their tickets from a travel agent or airline of their choice. (Travel insurance is recommended). Participants should keep in mind that in order to arrive in Budapest on May 27, they need to depart on May 26.
ADDITIONAL COSTS TO PARTICIPANTS: Cost of acquiring an American passport; roundtrip airfare; meals during week-end excursions; purchases and travel of a personal nature.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT I.D. CARD: Participants have the option of purchasing an International Student Identity Card through the International Center Study Abroad office. Students may be able to obtain a reduction on airfare, culture site admission fees, and bus and train fares for free time pursuits. The International Student I.D. card also includes a limited health and accident insurance policy which is only valid outside the U.S. Students should however have a more comprehensive insurance plan to supplement the ID insurance.
REQUIRED PERSONAL EFFECTS: