Research conducted by this archaeological field school program targets the rich archaeological past of San Giuliano, a site located approximately one hour north of Rome in the Lazio province of Italy. Situated atop a plateau of volcanic tuff, San Giuliano is best known for the hundreds, if not thousands, of Etruscan tombs cut into the sides of the surrounding escarpments. The tombs indicate the site’s importance in the Etruscan period (900-300 BC), but tantalizing loose finds suggest an occupation dating back to the Late Bronze and Early Iron ages (1300-900 BC). San Giuliano occupied a strategic location in relation to Rome and its hinterlands and the site was part of territory incorporated by the expanding Roman state on route to becoming an empire. The site remained important into the Middle Ages, before finally being abandoned sometime in the mid-13th century AD. Standing ruins of a Roman bath and a medieval church and fortified keep suggest that people lived, worked, and engaged in civic-ceremonial activities atop the plateau. The plateau thus constitutes a “city of the living” to complement the necropolis, or “city of the dead” in the tombs below. While portions of a medieval castle and fortification were revealed in the 2016, 2017, and 2018 excavations, the houses and buildings of the medieval town or any earlier settlements remain as-yet undiscovered.
Program Highlights
- Participate in an active archaeological research project
- Receive hands-on instruction in archaeological excavation methods
- Explore the history and culture of Italy
- Spend five weeks in the beautiful Tuscan countryside eating delicious food
Credits
6 credits
Eligibility
All undergraduate students are welcome to apply including students who do not attend George Mason University. Minimum 2.25 GPA.
Prerequisites: ANTH 120 (Unearthing the Past: Introduction to Archaeology) is recommended, but not required. Any necessary historical and archaeological instruction will be provided on site.
Course Options
Undergraduate:
- ANTH 325: Field Techniques in Anthropology
- INTS 399: Study Abroad (3 credits)
Program Dates*
May 29 - July 7, 2021
Sample Itinerary
* Dates and itinerary subject to change. The Global Education Office reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, and/or any other unforeseen circumstances.
Program Cost
Summer 2021: Coming Soon!
Summer 2020: $7,525
The Program Cost for study abroad courses is assessed separately from Mason tuition and fees. This means separate charges will be put on your student account for this course, including a study abroad tuition charge and a study abroad program fee charge which together equals the published Program Cost for this course.
Included:
- Tuition for 6 credits
- Accommodations
- Board
- Meals during the weekdays (daily breakfast)
- Entrance fees/tours/guides as described in itinerary
- In-country transportation
- International emergency medical insurance
Not included: Airfare*, passport and visa fees, other transportation, lunches, compass, optional trips, personal spending, required textbooks and/or course materials.
*Note: This program does not include a group flight. Information regarding arrival times and location will be sent out to all participants after the application deadline. Do not purchase airfare until you receive the "Green Light for Flights" notice from the Global Education Office via email. The notice will include information on the arrival/departure airports, flight times, and where to meet the group. Students who fail to follow the guidelines GEO sends out will be responsible for applicable costs of changing their flights.
When the time comes to purchase airfare, GEO will be recommending the purchase of Flight Interruption and Cancellation Insurance. The “Green Light for Flights” email will provide additional information about this insurance.
Participants must arrange their own airfare, once instructed to do so by the Mason Global Education Office.
Program Payments
Students on MasonGEO programs must pay the advertised program cost in order to participate. This cost will be made in three payments (Deposit + First Payment + Final Payment). Students using financial aid can provide additional paperwork in lieu of deposit and final balance payments.
Application Deposit: A non-refundable program deposit $200 must be received by the application deadline. This fee is paid online through the MasonAbroad application system and is included in the program cost.
First Payment: A non-refundable payment of $1000 must be received by March 20, 2021. This fee is paid online through the MasonAbroad application system and is included in the program fee. Students who are using financial aid may have this payment deadline extended. See "Financial Aid" information below.
In the event that a student’s financial aid or VA Benefits is estimated to cover the entire costs of the study abroad program, the entire charge will be posted to their student account, since that is where the aid will be applied. In this case students do not pay their first payment through MasonAbroad. However students must submit their “Intent to Use Financial Aid” form by the first deposit deadline.
Final Payment: The final balance payment is due by April 10, 2021. This is the difference of your Program Cost minus the $1200 you've already paid (Deposit + First Payment). Students who are using financial aid may have this payment deadline extended. See "Financial Aid" information below.
Financial Aid and VA Benefits: Students who intend to use financial aid or VA benefits to fund their program fees (partially or in full) must have the "Intent to Use Financial Aid" or "Intent to Use VA Benefits Form" completed and on file with the Global Education Office by the First Payment deadline. The "Intent to Use Financial Aid" form is available in the MasonAbroad application system once you have started your application for this program. If you are using VA Benefits please contact your program officer to request the "Intent to Use VA Benefits Form."
*Students must be enrolled at least half-time for federal loans and the majority of grant funds. Please refer to the Financial Aid Website for a definition of half-time for undergraduate and graduate students: https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/eligibility.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy: All participants are bound by the Mason GEO Withdrawal and Refund Policy.
Payment Instructions
For more information on payments, financial aid, and information for non-Mason students:
Payments
Scholarships
GEO offers a number of need- and merit-based scholarships. All Mason students are welcome to apply:
Scholarships
Application Deadlines:
Final Deadline
March 10, 2021
*(Priority deadline applicants will receive an earlier acceptance decision)
Application requirements:*
Program Deposit: $200 for all applicants.
Course Selection Questionnaire: You will choose the course(s) you would like to be receive credit for on this program. Check the "Academics" tab to see what courses are offered on this program. If you need help selecting your course, check with your academic advisor.
Passport Status Questionnaire: You do not need a passport to complete this questionnaire or the application. However, if you do not have a valid passport, you should begin applying for one now. The Global Education Office offers Passport Grants to help.
Signature Documents: Read and electronically "sign" the documents regarding the acknowledgement of risk, the pre-departure orientation, and your financial responsibility.
Intent to Use Financial Aid Form: For Mason students only. If you use financial aid, this form must be completed by your financial aid counselor and submitted by the 1st payment deadline.
Additional requirements for non-Mason applicants:
Official transcript: To be mailed or emailed to the Global Education Office at George Mason University.
Non-degree Contract Course/Admission Form: Please complete the form and upload it into the questionnaire.
* Additional application requirements may apply to individual programs. Once you open your application, you will see all application requirements.
Application instructions:
Links and Resources
Dolomiti Project:
http://www.dolomitiproject.it/#homepage
