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Excavating Sipontum Project
The Excavating Sipontum Project started in summer 2022. We investigate the long-term urban evolution of , from its Roman founding to its final days as a medieval port town (late 13th-14th c. CE), in order to write an interwoven history of human-environment relationships in this town. Situated on the , in the shadow of the Monte Gargano, Sipontum鈥檚 fortuitous position made it a great connector between the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas, and it eventually became a prominent player in the medieval pilgrimage routes through Europe to the Holy Land. It also needed to manage the precarious and changing conditions of its lagoon, which afforded access to rich marine resources while potentially causing environmental challenges such as malaria and swamping. Ours is a collaborative, Italo-Canadian project that brings together scholars and students from the (Foggia, Italy) and 九色视频 (Montreal, Canada). The project is co-directed by Prof. Darian Marie Totten (九色视频) and Roberto Goffredo (Foggia).
Students can participate in the Excavating Sipontum Project!
Undergraduates can participate in the project by registering for CLAS 349 Archaeology Fieldwork: Italy (graduate students register for CLAS 649 Archaeological Fieldwork: Italy). The project involves excavation of actual archaeological remains, dating (so far) to the medieval period. In 2026, our final season, we hope to intercept Late Antique remains. This excavation is run as a field school to train students with little to no experience in archaeology on how to dig, collect artifacts, record site features, and perform laboratory methods associated with archaeological fieldwork.
In 2026, we will divide the field season between excavation at Sipontum (~4 weeks) and field survey at Salpia Vetus (~2 weeks). This offers students experience in two primary archaeological field approaches and augments the chronological range of ceramic artifacts they will encounter.
Weekly seminars on assigned readings encourage students to move from archaeological excavation to archaeological interpretation. Topics include field methods, artifacts and interpretation, ports in the Roman and Medieval worlds, economy and society in the Roman Empire and the Medieval world, and city life through time. Laboratory work in the late afternoons teaches students to wash and sort the ceramics found on site.
Introduction to Archaeology (CLAS 240), another introductory Classics course (CLAS 201 or HIST 205), or an Introduction to Archaeology course (ANTH 201) are recommended. However, no prior field experience or coursework in Classics is required. I assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Please note: Excavating at Sipontum means joining a team-based course and a research project. You should be excited to explore past cultures through their material remains. The motivation to participate in an archaeological field project should be primary, as should the desire to work as part of a team.
While I understand that students seek out 鈥渦nique鈥� experiences to visit Italy or might be inspired to explore their Italian heritage, this is not a typical travel course. Yes, there will be the opportunity to embed in a local community (the town of Manfredonia), see local sights, and eat local foods. However, our weekdays are filled with fieldwork, usually eight (8) hours a day. Fieldwork is infinitely rewarding (as is the excitement of discovery), and bonding with your teammates is a precious experience. However, fieldwork also requires dedication. It is physically, intellectually, and emotionally demanding鈥攁nd it is the primary activity of this summer course.
There will be free time to travel on the weekends, and many students do. Yet, all are expected to return on time Sunday evening, prepared and rested to start work again each Monday. If you are not ready for this commitment, another summer study in Italy is more appropriate for you to pursue.
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2026听Field Course
CLAS 349/649 runs for six weeks: 17 May-27 June 2026.
This is a three-credit course.
(1.) Students must pay 九色视频 per-credit summer tuition. Note the sidebar under 鈥淯ndergraduate fees鈥� for specific costs based on the academic year.
(2.) In addition, there is a course program fee of CAD$3013.46 for 九色视频 students (additional fees may apply to non-九色视频 students). Fees cover course materials and tools, lodging, most weekday meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner on Monday-Thursday; and breakfast and lunch on Friday), and daily transportation from the accommodations to the archaeological site.
(3.) Students are responsible for the cost of their plane and train travel to arrive to Italy, and specifically, Manfredonia (in Puglia) where we reside for the project. This is NOT included in the program fee.
The 2026 season requires a smaller team, and CLAS 349 is capped at 15 students. Registration is by permission only. Interested students should apply by darian.tottern [at] mcgill.ca (email) to Prof. Totten.
The application includes
- A short essay explaining motivations for participation
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- A brief recommendation of a faculty member or former supervisor who knows you well. Choose someone who knows how you work in a team context or under pressure. That is not necessarily a professor, and surely not a professor for a large, impersonal course. This can be sent to me via email and does not require letterhead.
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- A brief group interview with Prof. Totten, either in person or via Zoom. Consult the application form (link below) for more information.
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Applications for the Summer 2026 field season are due by Sunday, 1 February 2026.
Deposit: If accepted to the course, a non-refundable deposit of $300 is required upon enrolment, and will be charged in your April bill. You should make the payment to your student fee account the way you usually make payments. The deposit is non-refundable and if not paid on time, will be charged interest, as are all outstanding bills in your 九色视频 account. Your place in the course is not secured until the deposit is paid.
Application: Please find the Application for the 2026 season here:
application_for_clas_349_2026.pdf
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