On the Expedition
Help save the cultural treasures of a Roman villa overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea along Tuscany’s stunning central coast.
You’ll help save a nearly-forgotten treasure trove of ancient Roman culture and enrich Tuscany’s archaeological heritage as you join Dr. Andrea Camilli, Dr. Giandomenico De Tommaso, Dr. Carolina Megale, Dr. Francesco Ghizzani Marcia, and Luciano Giannoni. You’ll excavate the Roman maritime settlement of Poggio del Molino, document all finds, collect organic samples with a palaeobothanist, and survey the area surrounding the dig site to collect, clean, and document artifacts such as pottery shards, mosaic, fresco, metal, and coins.
Meals and Accommodations
You’ll stay in simple-but-comfortable apartments in the quiet village of Populonia Station, about 5km/3.2 miles away from the site. The apartments feature modern furnishings, beds, flush toilets, electricity, gas heat, hot showers, kitchen facilities, and internet access.
Project staff and volunteers will help themselves to breakfast. Project staff will prepare lunches and dinner every day. Volunteers will be asked to assist with clean-up. You will have many opportunites to enjoy local wines, deserts and other culinary delights as well as traditional cultural events and festivals, depending on the season.
About the Research Area
The site is located in luxuriant green landscape overlooking the sea where the Mediterranean vegetation is particularly varied in species, form and color. You’ll be near the wood-covered Natural Park of Montioni’s Hills as well as the Coastal Park of Sterpaia, which has a rare and highly-prized humid forest, once typical of the landscape of the ancient coast of the Maremma. An important bird and amphibian reserve, Orti Bottagone, is also in close proximity. In Populonia’s own Parco Archeologico di Baratti, there is a famous Etruscan necropolis of monumental tomb mounds, with acropolis temples and a sacred complex, probably dedicated to Venus.
Characteristically medieval towns such as Donoratico, Bolgheri, Suvereto, Sassetta, and Massa Marittima dot the area, all of them famous for their traditional seasonal festivals, excellent wine, and succulent food (especially wild game such as boar). Populonia’s central position on the Tuscan coast makes it easy to reach Pisa, Firenze, Siena, Arezzo, Volterra, Pienza, San Gimignano, and Montalcino in a very short time.