Description

In Romania, volunteers on the archaeology project are based in various locations, although the main base will be Deva, a city with 80,000 inhabitants. In ancient times, Deva was a Dacian fortress called Decidava. Nowadays, it is the capital city of the Hunedoara district, an area with an extensive and fascinating history.

Volunteers work with a number of archaeological groups, including Romania's Museum of History where they investigate ancient Dacia and the medieval environs of Transylvania. Archaeological sites found in the Carpathian Mountains and plains below have already yielded some remarkable information about the time of the infamous Vlad-the-Impaler, the supposed inspiration for the Dracula legend.

Our Archaeology placements are a great way to learn about civilizations that have long since disappeared. Through clues, investigations and practical research, you can attempt to reconstruct many aspects about their way of life while collaborating with some of the best specialists in the periods from Neolithic to Medieval times.

By taking part in volunteer archaeological work in Romania you will gain hands on experience of archaeology and learn many practical skills relevant within this field. The range of work is diverse -- volunteers work on excavation and restoration sites all over Romania. At the beautiful sites of Deva, Alba-Iulia, Bordusani-Popina, and Harsova, volunteers excavate, clean and reconstruct pottery pieces, tools or other items that have been found there.

Other work includes identifying and uncovering ancient graves as well as recovering bones and other artifacts in Sibiu; compiling reports on the several fortified Saxon churches in the region of Transylvania; and studying the gardens and dig site of the Brukenthal Summer Palace in Avrig.

Volunteers have the opportunity to carry out fieldwork, either working on digs or helping with reconstruction or ceramic work.

Alongside the practical work, volunteers write up documents and reports concerning the work they are doing, and produce proposals for new sites in the area. These are then presented to potential national and international donors. Volunteers can also spend time in the History Museum in Cluj or Alba Iulia, helping with pottery reconstruction and research.

The volunteers' time is split between site excavation, analysis of finds and museum presentations. Volunteers might also help in the museum itself, translating documents and designing tourist information.

Dependant on the location of the digs, volunteers will be accommodated in a guesthouse in Deva, or may camp, stay in hostels or with local families close to the site if the digs are not within commutable distance. Volunteers will be able to attend monthly social events with the other volunteers in Romania and will be able to travel to Brasov at the weekends.

In order to maintain the focus on practical aspects of archaeology, and to ensure a high level of variety for our volunteers, it is not possible to participate on an archaeology project in Romania during the winter months from November to March. During these months, digs are not possible due to the frozen ground. Volunteers with specific skills or those wishing to focus on a specific research or reconstruction project can still be accommodated during the winter months.

From April through September, the archaeology project is also available for two weeks if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering for both the host community and the volunteer. Although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and work intensely within the local community please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period.

Archaeology is a field-based science, which means that a vital part of the education process involves learning the skills and strategies of surveying and excavation. Any student who wishes to study archaeology to degree level must be prepared to spend a significant period of their time taking part in fieldwork; this includes working on digs, in laboratories and in museums.

To help students and volunteers, a number of fieldwork award schemes are available through various universities and archaeological organizations. For example, the organization Archaeology Abroad offers grants to help towards the cost of archaeological projects overseas.

Highlights

The ancient city of Brasov has many sights and museums, and a full cultural program of theater, music and puppetry performances. The town center contains a wide range of restaurants within walking distance, and it's also easy to explore more of the city with frequent buses and trolleybuses.

It's only an hour from the town to Dracula's castle, or the medieval home of Vlad the Impaler. Indeed, there are plenty of attractions in Transylvania, but it's also easy for you to visit Bucharest, the Black Sea or the Danube Delta. Other volunteers have even explored Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ukraine after finishing their volunteer placements.

Qualifications

None.

Languages

• English
• Romanian
• Russian

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The price of each placement includes all your food and accommodation, transfers to and from the airport, full travel and medical insurance plus support and 24 hour back-up from our staff based around the world.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Archaeology
• Culture
• Historic Preservation
• Restoration
• Volunteering

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-70

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992