The very well preserved human remains from the medieval cemetery of our Lost Church of Valeni (Transylvania, Romania), dating from the 10-18th century, offer an exceptional opportunity to learn and develop a full range of bioarchaeology excavation skills. Additionally, the massive stone built medieval ossuary, unique in the region, allows for a more advanced exploration and analysis of a fragmentary mixed remains environment.
Furthermore, the period of peak use of the cemetery corresponds to one of the most dynamic and uncertain periods in Transylvanian history. From a bioarchaeological perspective, this socio-political period of high instability introduced a great variation in causes of death, ranging from new diseases, trauma, new alimentary practices leading to vitamin deficiency, higher childbirth mortality (both mother and child), etc., reflected in our cemetery.
Indeed, after the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the deaths of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) in 1476, Holy Stephan the Great in 1504, Skanderberg in 1468, the gates of Europe opened for the invading Ottoman Turks. Following the European defeat at the Battle of Mohacs in 1526 the Ottomans expanded all the way to the gates of Vienna, cutting off Transylvania from the rest of Western Christianity.
Our projects:
Medieval Cemetery Funerary Excavation: Dying on the European Frontier - Lost Churches Project
Location: Valeni, Harghita County (Central Transylvania), Romania
Period: Late Migration – Medieval
Excavation dates: Session 1: June 7 - July 4, 2020; Session 2: July 5 - August 1, 2020
Team size: 18 participants
More information: https://www.archaeotek-archaeology.org/medieval-cemetery-funerary-excavation
Contact e-mail: archaeology@archaeotek.org
Project Director: Dr. Katie Zejdlik-Passalacqua (Department of Anthropology, Western Carolina University)
Credits: 3-6 undergraduate/graduate credits available from the University of South Florida (USF deadlines and tuition applies); non-credit positions available
Ossuary Excavation and Commingled Remains Osteology Research Laboratory Workshop
Location: Odorheiu Secuiesc (laboratory) and Valeni (excavation), Transylvania, Romania
Dates: Session 1: June 7 - July 4, 2020; Session 2: July 5 - August 1, 2020
Team size: 6 participants
More information: https://www.archaeotek-archaeology.org/commingled-remains
Contact e-mail: archaeology@archaeotek.org
Project Director: Armando Anzellini (Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee – Knoxville ) , and Dr. Katie Zejdlik-Passalacqua (Department of Anthropology, Western Carolina University)
Credits: 3-6 undergraduate/graduate credits available from University of South Florida (USF deadlines and tuition applies); non-credit positions available
Requirements: stand alone human osteology course is a prerequisite (such as the above Adult Osteology Laboratory Workshop or equivalent)
Our human osteology and bioarchaeology programs are designed to offer intensive, practical, hands-on experience with remarkably well preserved human osteological remains, focusing primarily on research skill acquisition. They provide a very effective transition between the controlled teaching environment of an osteology academic lab and real "life" burial assemblage.