The Pylos Geoarchaeological Program (GEAPP) is a five-year (2021-2025) synergy between the Ephorate of Antiquities of Messenia and the Laboratory of Archaeometry of the Department of History, Archaeology and Cultural Resources Management – University of the Peloponnese. Its purpose is to investigate the natural, archaeological, and cultural environment of the coastal zone of Pylos, Messenia. GEAPP provides a unique opportunity to undergraduate students in anthropology, archaeology, and sciences to participate in full-scale projects, including extensive surface survey, excavations, laboratory analyses of artefacts/geoarchaeological materials, as well as aerial/ground survey (UAS, TLS, etc.). Field work will be conducted over the initial three-week period, whereas laboratory work, site, museum visits and excursions will be realized during the last week in Kalamata.

Students participating in the GEAPP program, during the 2021 and 2022 summer campaigns, gained hands-on experience on collecting, analyzing and registering the field survey’s archaeological, cultural and environmental data. Digitization of findings via photogrammetry and laser scanning with the use of terrestrial and aerial systems, LiDAR scanning, geophysical surveys using magnetometry and electric resistivity techniques, absolute dating approaches, analytical techniques for the study of manufacturing technology and provenance dating in ceramics, glass, metals, stones, and mortars, sedimentological and residue analyses towards landscape reconstruction, are some of the methodologies applied within the scope of the program. A team of experienced and specialized staff (University Professors, Ephorate Senior Archaeologists, Conservation Scientists, Post-Doctoral Researchers, PhD Candidates), as well as highly skilled invited collaborators, guarantees an effective approach to the program’s goals and objectives.

Key Information

Duration: 15 June – 14 July 2023 (four weeks)
Location: Pylos & Kalamata, Greece
Academic Credits: 6 ECTS (3 US credits)
Program Fees: 1,900 € (EU participants), 4,990 € (non-EU participants)

Pylos Geoarchaeological Program Field School

The Pylos Geoarchaeological Field School provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate students in anthropology, archaeology, and sciences to participate in full-scale projects, including extensive surface survey, excavation, conservation, laboratory analysis of artefacts/geoarchaeological materials, as well as aerial/ground survey (UAS, TLS, etc.). Field work will be conducted over the initial three-week period, whereas laboratory work, site visits and excursions will be realized during the last week in Kalamata.

Program fees include:

  • high-quality accommodation (air-conditioned rooms, private baths, double occupancy, first-register first-serve basis in Pylos (15 June – 7 July) and Kalamata (8 July – 13 July)
  • daily buffet breakfast, light lunch, and dinner
  • daily transportation to and from the survey and dig sites
  • round trip bus transportation: from Athens airport (14 June) to the accommodation in Pylos / from Kalamata to the Athens airport (14 July)
  • transportation and ticket fees for visits in two archaeological sites and​ museums in Messenia.
  • Program fees do not include personal expenses or airfare (students purchase airfare individually).

For more information, please visit the website of GEAPP.