Field Season 2020: January 5th – February 1st
Applications are now open for the second season of fieldwork at Castelo de Cuncos,
An Iron Age/Roman Republican walled settlement located in the Central Alentejo


Castelo de Monte Novo (known locally as Castelo de Cuncos) is a large Iron Age/Roman Republican era settlement located in the Central Alentejo Portugal. Preliminary work has revealed a substantial fortified settlement with surface material finds dating from at least the 5th – 1st centuries BCE. Burned outer walls and the discovery of Roman lead sling bullets and weaponry may suggest that the site met a violent end. In 2019, a metal detector survey was conducted around the sites walls which revealed a wide range of domestic items as well as a collection of military artefacts. For the 2020 season we will begin excavation of the site and hope to gain a better understanding of the site from its Iron Age origins until its potentially violent end during the Roman Republican period.

Students will receive instructions in various archaeological methods such as excavation and surveying techniques, the processing and handling or artefacts, and the recording and illustrating or exposed areas. Prior experience in archaeology is not required. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students and volunteers are welcome.

Tuition for the 3-week session (including room, board, and transportation within Portugal) is $1500 USD.
(5th-25th January)

Tuition for the 4 week session (including room, board, and transportation within Portugal) is $1800 USD.
(5th January - 1st February)

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