Outline of the programme
Students will be trained how to excavate burials and to work with human skeletons in the laboratory under supervision. Excavations begin at 6 AM and finish at 1 PM everyday. Transport from the Kashan University Campus to the archeological site will be provided.
After the fieldwork students will have lunch and rest until 4 PM. In the afternoon (from 4 to 7 PM) participants will take part in lectures and work with excavated human remains and artifacts (pottery, metal objects, etc.) at the University of Kashan Campus. Excavations and lectures are 6 days per week, excluding Fridays.
During afternoon lectures students will learn basics of bioarchaeology and develop practical skills in human osteology. Each participant will receive a certificate.
Lecture subjects
- Bioarchaeology
- Human osteology
- Ethics in bioarchaeology
- Exploration, documentation and sampling of human remains
- Age-at-death and sex assessment
- Analysis of non-metric traits and pathologies
- Biochemical analysis of bones and teeth
- Bone and tooth histology
- Cremation
- Ancient DNA
Free time
During free time students can enjoy visiting the city of Kashan with many places of interest such as Fin Garden, Historical Bazar, Agha Bozorg mosque or Tabātabāei House. There are many restaurants and teahouses around the city where participants can enjoy Iranian cuisine and experience local culture.
Three one-day excursions will be organized to fascinating places around Kashan, like Abyane historical village, Chale Nakhjir lime stone cave and Iranian Central Desert. There is also a possibility to organize a trip to Shiraz and Persepolis depending on willing participants.