Archaeology - Ancient Greece
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Join the Big Dog for a dig to take place August 9-13, 2021. The theme will be Greece, and we envision a program that ambitiously tackles the early Archaic Age all the way to the end of the Turkish period (1000 BC - 1820 AD). The development of the idea of “Greece" will be the focus of this dig and the search necessarily begins in mythology and the traditions of this ancient land: Jason and the Golden Fleece, Homer and Troy, Hesiod and the great Archaic Period writers, poets, philosophers and scientists. Equal attention will be lavished on the culture, history and geography of the Aegean region in an attempt to inculcate in the minds of the students the central themes and events that give Greeks and their history its distinctive character.
The site under consideration is from ‘Eliki on the south coast of the Gulf of Corinth, where the instructor has had the privilege of excavating. The lecture, slide and excavation experience is intended to be a serious introduction to the historical and cultural idea of Greece, and to the artefact's and some of the central texts and stories that comprise the modern idea of Greece. Students will be
asked to participate in games, lectures, excavations and analyses designed to enhance their skill and perception in regard to the evidence of something we today call “Greece" but which was not always a unitary phenomenon.
The full-day program will involve daily orientation, excavation, artifact processing, games and lecture. Half-day students will be oriented and dig, but will not participate in the games and other lectures. This camp is as close to Greece as you are likely to get without an actual visit. The instructor has been there dozens of times and has examined sites throughout the country. If you have questions about Greek culture or history, this is the place to get them answered!
Camp Information
- Campers should arrive dressed for the weather, with appropriate footwear and a cap or hat.
- Sunblock and kid-friendly bug dope may also be needed.
- All campers should pack a hearty lunch, labeled drink and a snack.
- Space is limited; please sign up early if you wish to have your children attend.
- Head Instructor: Geoffrey Purcell
- Aftercare: M-Th only, $30 until 5:15 pm. No early care available, drop off from 8:30 am. Contact the instructor, geofpurcell@gmail.com.
COVID-19 Adjustments
- For the safety of the campers we will make sure all campers:
- Wear face masks
- Maintain social distance
- Monitor symptoms with parents
- Frequently wash their hands
- Each camper will be asked to comply with safety and hygiene decorum.
- There will be abundant amounts of water, a cooling- off station and separate tables with which to keep Siblings WILL work together at their distinct ends of the dig and will give way to each other by turns: at such time as proximity might otherwise happen in order to maintain social distance. (Siblings can occupy the same spaces)
- Meals, slide presentations and artifact processing will be done apart - dig teams will be working apart for this purpose unless they are siblings
- Instructors will be practicing all of the above as well and will be keeping a written record of any incidents
- All tools and surfaces will be washed down each day to insure the safety of the campers (Tables, tarps, tools, artifacts)