Summer School of the European University CIVIS in the excavation of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in Marathon

A two-weeks summer school with the subject “The archaeology of death: training in archaeothanatology for archaeologists” took place between 16 and 27 May 2022 in the excavation of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, at Plasi, Marathon (link).

The summer school was organized by the CIVIS European University, with the participation of four universities: Aix-Marseille Université (co-ordinator), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Université libre de Bruxelles and University of Bucharest.

The students came from five universities of the CIVIS alliance (Sapienza Università di Roma, Aix-Marseille Université, Université libre de Bruxelles, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and National and Kapodistrian University of Athens).

Training in the field included both theoretical courses and excavation of tombs in the field. During the two weeks of the summer school the students excavated four tombs dated to to the Later Bronze Age (c. 1600 BCE) and the Early Iron Age (c. 1100 BCE).

Digital technologies played an important role and were extensively used for excavation documentation. They include techniques and application that were taught to students through the DELTA MOOC, such as the use of GNSS systems, Structure from Motion photogrammetry, and Digital Excavation Forms.