Balkan Heritage Field School
The Balkan Heritage Field School (BHFS) is an archaeological field school annually providing a number of courses (projects) in archeology, anthropology and history of South-Eastern Europe, documentation, conservation and restoration of historic artifacts and monuments, taught in English and located within Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia.[1] The school admits both students and non-students.
Activities
The BHFS courses are affiliated with ongoing excavation (Neolithic settlement in Ilindentsi, Tell Yunatsite, emporion Pistiros, Stobi, Apollonia Pontica and the early medieval necropolis at Topola) conservation and documentation projects contributing to the study and preservation of the Balkan cultural heritage and are usually supplemented by trips to attractive historical sites and cities in Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece, Serbia and Turkey. The school concept envisions that every course combines three basic educational modules: theoretical (lectures, presentations and field trainings), practical (either excavation field work and lab work or conservation of historic artifacts and monuments) and excursions plus behind-the-scene visits. The BHFS courses are listed among the academic courses of New Bulgarian University, enabling their participants to obtain credit hours upon request.
The BHFS functions as a legal part of the Balkan Heritage Foundation, a Bulgarian public, non-profit, non-governmental organization. Since 2003 the BHFS has organized 52 courses in field archaeology, documentation of medieval frescoes and conservation of Ancient Greek and Roman pottery, mural paintings and mosaics. These courses have been attended by more than 900 students from 48 countries.[2]
The head office is located in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. Costs of courses and study materials can be found by viewing the website.[3] The BHFS admission fees support the Balkan Heritage Protection Fund.[4]
List of current (2014) courses
Archeology
- The Birth of Europe - Excavations of the Neolithic (6000-5500 BC) Settlement Ilindentsi, Bulgaria
- Rise and Fall of the First European Civilization - Excavations at Tell Yunatsite (Copper Age Period, 4900-4100 BC), Bulgaria
- Tobi (Macedonia Secunda) Excavations, Republic of Macedonia
- Apollonia Pontica Excavations (Archaic Greek and Early Byzantine Periods), Bulgaria
- Ancient Greeks in the Land of Dionysos - Excavation of Emporion Pistiros in Thrace (Classical and Hellenistic Periods: 5th - 3rd century BC), Bulgaria
- Topola – The Biggest Biritual Necropolis in South Eastern Europe (Early medieval, the end of the Migration Period, 7th – 9th centuries AD), Bulgaria
Documentation and conservation of historical artifacts
- Fresco Hunting - Photo Research Expedition to Medieval Balkan Churches, Bulgaria and Serbia
- Workshop on Advanced Digital Photographic Documentation of Artifacts and Architecture (RTI and photogrammetry), Bulgaria
- Workshop for Conservation and Documentation of Roman Mosaics, Republic of Macedonia
- Workshop for Conservation and Documentation of Roman Mosaics and Mural Paintings, Republic of Macedonia
- Workshop for Conservation, Restoration and Documentation of Roman Pottery, Republic of Macedonia
- Workshop for Conservation, Restoration and Documentation of Roman Pottery And Glass, Republic of Macedonia
- Workshop for Conservation, Restoration and Documentation of Ancient Greek Pottery, Bulgaria
References
- ↑ http://www.bhfieldschool.org
- ↑ http://www.bhfieldschool.org/
- ↑ http://www.bhfieldschool.org/bh2007.html
- ↑ History And Archaeology Through Laboratory Examinations, Tome Egumenoski & Aleksandar Donski, Melbourne 2012, pp.69&70, University of Goce Delchev, Stip, Republic of Macedonia.