Tuscany's Castle of Catignano

  Italy

• Florence: 
Florence
• All Other Areas in Italy: 
Pistoia,  Siena,  Pisa

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 2008: Jun 29 - Jul 12, Jul 13 - Jul 26

Description: Research Mission
Help excavate this 11th century castle, and explore the site for pottery shards and remains.

Situation Report
Gambassi Terme, Tuscany, Italy -- Twelve castles were built and abandoned from the 10th to the 13th century in the hills between the towns of Castelfiorentino and Gambassi. On the top of one of the hills, overlooking the Elsa Valley, the remains of two brick towers mark the site of the 11th century castle of Castignano. This castle was an important fortified settlement, and a classic example of a castle that developed from a feudal center into a village along an important pilgrimage route. Because the Gambassi area is famous for its glass factories and kilns, and Castelfiorentino is famous for its pottery, medieval archaeologists Dr. Anna Moore Valeri, an expert in pottery, and Dr. Marja Mendera, an expert in glass, expect this area to be rich with artifacts. They hope that the excavation of the castle of Catignano will contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of the castles in central Tuscany.

Meals and Accomodations
Volunteers will stay at an "Agriturismo" called "Il Pino", 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. 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. The apartments are new and very attractively furnished and most of them have a beautiful view overlooking the olive groves and vineyards of the Elsa valley. The agriturism has a swimming pool, so be sure to bring your swimsuit!

Continental breakfasts will be enjoyed at the agriturism. The City of Gambassi Terme will provide lunches of sandwiches and pasta salad and enjoyed picnic style a the dig site. Dinners will be traditionally 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.

Highlights: Working under the Tuscan sun, you'll help with excavating the site, sorting the finds, washing pottery shards, labeling finds, and working on gluing 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 amazing 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.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. Teams have a minimum age of 18, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 16.

Cost in US$: 3,346

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18 - 90

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Italy Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 12 - 16

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. Hundreds of expedition teams can use your help in 48 countries and 16 U.S. states this year.

Year Founded: 1971