An original, model program of practical field training (part of the course Fundamentals of Archaeology: Theory and Field Archaeology) in the controlled environment of a simulated excavation field which features reconstructed ruins, physical remains and finds, and reproduced actual stratigraphy of diagnostic archaeological contexts.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Keck Foundation (lab equipment) and the Ferris Foundation (facilities), the archaeology lab is now housed in a brand new facility of almost 2,000 sq.f. offering abundant student work space, office and lab space, storage and display units, cutting-edge technology and electronic equipment, and a space of 400 sq.f., sunken 3 feet beneath the floor level, specially designed for a unique Simulated Excavation Field, or indoor dig simulator of unprecedented proportions and complexity.

The indoor dig simulator (S.E.F.) features four successive archaeological layers (Neolithic, Mycenaean, Classical Greek, and Roman) and includes reconstructed ancient ruins and diagnostic archaeological contexts (huts, houses, and cist graves), plotted portable finds and spatial distribution of material remains (pottery, figurines, jewelry, coins, tools and weapons, organic and skeletal remains), and reproduced actual stratigraphy (occupation layers, destruction layers, floor levels)  filled with different types of sediment.

The S.E.F. training program exemplifies a direct, ‘hands-on education’ format which combines theory and practice, education and practical training, and interdisciplinary methodologies, and comprises the following:

• careful excavation (grid), including shifting and floating; 

• full and precise recording and documentation of finds and contexts (including field notes, excavation records, labeling, drawing, plans/sections, photos); 

• conservation of material remains and portable finds and storage procedures; 

• discussion and interpretation of stratigraphic sequence, spatial distribution of finds, spatial function of rooms/areas, character of archaeological contexts, patterns of uniformity and variation, study of portable finds (typological/stylistic development, dating); 

• application of digital technology and use of equipment in archaeological excavation/survey (GPR, Magnetometer, Total Station, Theodolite, GPS, GIS)

• final excavation report and drawing reconstruction of site (to be published on the web-site);

• the excavation is recorded by a fixed, ceiling-mounted web-cam for training purposes, in-depth analysis and evaluation in class.

Photo GALLERY (old archaeology lab)

DIGITAL PROJECTS IN ARCHAEOLOGY

• Web-site of the Interdisciplinary Archaeology Program, featuring: excavation/survey and publication news; on-line course syllabi, topics, bibliography, and visual material (digital slides/photographs) 

• ICON: Digital Image Library (on-line search engine/database of ca.10,000 power-point slides/files and digital photographs on Prehistoric and Classical Archaeology)

• ATREUS Treasury of Mycenaean bibliography (on-line search engine/database of books and articles in Mycenaean archaeology, classified by author, subject, and region, with full index on the site of Mycenae)   

• KERAMOS: Mycenae Pottery Database (on-line search engine/database of published pottery from Mycenae - D.E.P.A.S. of MYCENAE Project)

• Mycenae digital archaeological map/plans and prospective 3-D reconstruction (on-line virtual tour with lists of portable finds and excavation/stratification information, maintained and updated at Dickinson); G.I.S. Regional & Site Survey of Mycenae