Celtic-Iron Age Necropolis of Pintia

  Spain

• Valladolid: 
Valladolid

Term: Summer 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June 1-28, July 2-29, August 5-31

Description: The excavation focuses on the Vaccean necropolis. The Vaccean culture was an Iron Age people with Celtic links that settled in north-central Spain around the 5th century BC. The cemetery, located about 300 meters (984 feet) from the main settlement, was used between the 4th century BC and the 1st century.

Up to 2004, archaeologists had uncovered about 70 cremation tombs. In 2005 the crew opened a new area and found the first eight of a series of 35 new burials in excellent condition most of them belonging to warriors and featuring a bounty of war-related artifacts. Research in this area of the site is helping investigators understand better the social organization of these pre-Roman peoples.

In 2007 and 2008 teams uncovered 50 cremation tombs, the majority belonging to warriors, women and children from between the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. Around 500 funerary artifacts were found, and of those 100 came from a single burial of two girls. Our most important find was Tomb #153 and its 115 grave goods, including some unique ceramic copies of jewelry.

In 2009, Pintia crews excavated 44 tombs containing around 600 man-made artifacts. In one section around 100 giant limestone slabs (some weighing nearly a metric ton) covered the tombs, which protected them from subsequent farming and left the funerary jars and grave goods in excellent condition. The artifacts recovered included daggers, broaches, spear points, grills, knives, tongs, tweezers, shaving blades and necklaces.

This coming summer the plan is to excavate an adjacent area in the necropolis.

In addition to the excavation and lab work, there will be a number of seminars and workshops related to the fieldwork.

Highlights: The Pintia crew will also tour some interesting historical attractions in the region. We believe that visiting these sites is essential to understanding the context of the archaeological work at Pintia. These excursions are included in the program costs. Visits may vary depending on your participation dates and the excavation schedule.

* Peñafiel: Medieval town and castle
* Peñaranda de Duero and the Roman city of Clunia.
* Capital city of Valladolid: Cathedral, National Sculpture Museum
* Capital city of Segovia: Roman Aqueduct, Gothic Cathedral, Granja de San Ildefonso
* Medieval town of Salamanca
* Capital city of Burgos: Cathedral, archaeological museum, Cartuja de Miraflores
* Canoeing down the Duero River

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications: Previous fieldwork experience and Spanish language abilities are not required to join the field crews. All we ask is that applicants share a desire to learn about Spanish history and culture.

Cost in US$: USD 2,350 per session

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A university student (undergraduate or graduate) studying Archaeology

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Spain Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 15

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

ArchaeoSpain's Mission Statement: ArchaeoSpain is a non-profit organization founded in 2000 by a group of archaeologists and teachers with the goal of providing an opportunity for people from all over the world to participate in scientific research important archaeological excavations in Spain and Italy. We are committed to furthering cultural exchange and experience in archaeology.

Year Founded: 2000