On the Expedition
Help excavate this 11th century castle ruin, and under the Tuscan sun, explore the site for ancient pottery shards and fascinating cultural remnants.
Working under the Tuscan sun, you'll help with excavating this site, sorting the finds, washing pottery shards, documenting artifacts, and working on the reconstruction and restoration of pottery finds. The work site will be shaded, as the sun can get hot in the summer, even in this comfortable, Mediterranean climate. The site is located on the top of a hill, where you will have marvelous views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Teams will generally divide into two groups, alternating between working at the dig site and helping with laboratory tasks of organizing, washing, labeling, counting, and matching artifacts. The site will be documented through photography, videography, and drawings, so any expertise you have in these will be put to good use. In your recreational time, you'll be able to take short excursions to the area's many historical sites and attractions including an exposition on the Catignano archaeological site will be opened in the new library of Gambassi. Earthwatch volunteers will also be present for the Tuscany "Notti dell'archeologia" (Archaeological Nights) in July, which promotes valuable science and interest in archaeological sites. Volunteers on one of the July teams will have the opportunity to experience a medieval dinner, organized in the garden of the Torre Fiaschi followed by a guided visit to the excavation of Catignano's Castle by candle light.
Meals and Accommodations
Continental breakfasts will be enjoyed at the accommodations and the team will then gather for both traditional lunches and dinners at Il Pino. Dinners will be typically Tuscan both in fare and in length! You'll linger over delicious three-course meals especially prepared for the team by a local cook, including soup, pasta, meat and vegetable courses, and, of course, local wines.
Volunteers will stay at one of two “Agriturismos”: “Il Pino” or “Torre Fiaschi,” each located a five minute walk from the excavation site. Agriturismos are a recent kind of country hotel in which the old agricultural outbuildings of a farm have been restored and transformed into apartments. The apartments are new and very attractively furnished and most of them have stunning views overlooking the olive groves and vineyards of the Elsa valley.
In Torre Fiaschi, where about 6 volunteers will stay, rooms are on three floors with no elevator, so those staying at this location must be able to walk up and down stairs easily. There are three bedrooms housing two people each, and two shared bathrooms. Torre Fiaschi has a beautiful traditional kitchen and a large living room, a garden with chairs and tables for outdoor recreational time, and an outdoor kitchen. It is a medieval tower, originally part of the castle complex the team is excavating.
In Il Pino, each apartment consists of a kitchen and living area, a bath, and a bedroom with a double bed and a bedroom with two single beds. Il Pino also has a swimming pool that can be used by all volunteers (at either accommodation), so be sure to bring your swimsuit!
About the Research Area
The area of research is one of the most famous landscapes in Tuscany and Italy. Very rich in art and cultural items, counts important sites like San Gimignano, Colle val d'Elsa, Certaldo, Volterra, San Miniato. Not far are Siena and Florance and Pisa. Many towns are easily reachable also with train and buses. The Mediterranean coast is only at 50 km from the area of research and easy to reach.