Information for Excavators and Volunteers

Information for ASCSA Regular and Associate Members

The excavations at Corinth serve as an introduction to those who wish to learn more about field techniques and general principles of archaeological excavation. Participation is generally limited to Regular and Associate Members of the American School, though qualified graduate students from elsewhere may be recruited as necessary (see this link if you wish to apply). The season runs from early April through the end of June and is divided into three four-week sessions, each comprising three weeks of excavation and one week of analysis, synthesis, and clean-up. Those who would like more experience may request to stay for multiple sessions. Each session is limited to no more than seven or eight participants who are responsible for the close supervision of the work. Spouses of Members of the School are very welcome, but they are expected to contribute in some way to the project.

Daily Schedule:

Excavation takes place from 7:30 AM – 2:15 PM (Monday-Friday) with pottery and small finds analysis from 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM. Experienced local technicians do the actual digging, while students gain experience as area supervisors, digitally recording the progress of the fieldwork  according to the protocols described in our manual (G. D. R. Sanders, S. A. James, A. C. Johnson, Corinth Excavations Archaeological Manuel, The Digital Press @ The University of North Dakota, 2017: ISBN-13:978-0692878101). Students, usually working in pairs, are fully responsible for their specific areas. After a break from excavation in the field, every afternoon is spent either sorting, identifying, and quantifying the context pottery with the Director or describing and identifying small finds and coins with the Associate Director. Saturday mornings are devoted to additional work on pottery and small finds, as needed. At the end of every four-week session, each pair of supervisors is expected to submit a report that pulls together the history and significance of their area.

The Corinth training program is unique in that it gives its participants an opportunity to complete the whole sequence of work for their respective areas, beginning with the field excavation, then processing the material recovered from those excavations, and finally putting the whole together in a report detailing the historical sequence that will remain a part of the city’s historical record. At all stages, the excavation staff closely monitors this work and provides assistance, as needed. The program exposes students to a variety of archaeological field techniques, as well as to other skills, including the use of a total station, architectural recording, pottery quantification and seriation, and the iDig application for field recording. It also introduces students to the ways in which history can be illuminated and reconstructed from archaeological data. Sessions in the Museum are intended to instruct students in how to look at ancient objects and how to write systematic descriptions, a technique that can be applied usefully to nearly any discipline. Although this program is aimed at advanced graduate students with considerable familiarity with the ancient Greek and/or Byzantine culture, previous excavation experience is not required, and, indeed, students without a particular interest in field archaeology are encouraged to participate in order acquire a better understanding of archaeological data and, in particular, its potential and limitations for elucidating the past. 

Information for Volunteers

In some years, spaces reserved for ASCSA Members may remain vacant. Interested graduate students are asked to send an application (short cover letter, CV, and the names of two referees) to the Director of the excavations by the end of December in order to be considered for the excavation the following spring.

Other educational opportunities are open to a wider group of students. Volunteers interested in Museum Internship positions are asked to contact the Assistant to the Associate Director. Please enclose a short cover letter detailing why you wish to volunteer and when you are available. Note that October to April is the best time to volunteer. In some cases room and board may be covered.

If you would like to be considered for a supervisor position during a summer season, you can link to more information here.

Information about Housing

Members whose room and board has been paid for in Loring Hall (e.g. under fellowship or already paid by other means) will be credited for room and board in Corinth during the excavation season. This is provided that the members vacate their rooms in Loring.While Loring Hall usually closes in early June, members may usually stay in Corinth until June 30th.

Housing in the Hill House during the excavation season

Members whose room and board has been paid for in Loring Hall (e.g. under fellowship or already paid by other means) will be credited for room and board in Corinth.  This is provided that the members vacate their rooms in Loring.  Additionally, while Loring Hall usually closes in early June, members may usually stay in Corinth until June 30th.