Torre Mordillo Archaeological Project
Archaeological Field School 2025
The Torre Mordillo Archaeological Project is a research initiative launched in 2023 with the goal of investigating the previously understudied site of Torre Mordillo, located near the famous Greek city of Sybaris in southern Italy. This 14-hectare site, situated on a river plain, was inhabited from the Middle Bronze Age until the 3rd century BCE by Indigenous groups historically known as the Oenotrians and, later, the Brettians. Archaeological evidence reveals that these communities had strong, established relationships with the Greeks, engaging in the exchange of goods and cultural practices. However, this dynamic has traditionally been seen as a one-way transfer of culture, with the Greeks viewed as the dominant culture imposing their ways on the less "advanced" Indigenous populations.
Torre Mordillo has often been interpreted as a site of violent Greek conquest, supported by evidence such as the abandonment of its necropolis and the destruction of its dwellings. Yet recent archaeological research at nearby sites, such as Francavilla Marittima, suggests a much more nuanced relationship between colonizers and Indigenous populations. At Francavilla, there is clear evidence of continuity in the occupation by Indigenous peoples even after the arrival of the Greeks, along with signs of cultural and social integration. This opens the possibility that the relationship between the Greeks and Indigenous peoples at Torre Mordillo was more complex than previously believed.
The findings from the 2023 field survey and geophysical investigations, along with the 2024 archaeological excavations, have already confirmed the site's significant role. Among the most remarkable discoveries is the identification of two large huts, which can be tentatively dated to a period spanning from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age. This sector of the settlement will be further investigated in the upcoming excavation campaign, which promises to greatly contribute to our understanding of the communities living at Torre Mordillo before and during the time of Greek colonization in the region.
These ongoing investigations aim to provide new insights into the complex interactions and cultural exchanges that shaped the history of the area, moving beyond traditional views of Greek dominance to a more nuanced understanding of these early Mediterranean societies.
Field school program — June 30 - July 25, 2025 (4 weeks)
The Torre Mordillo Archaeological Field School offers students a comprehensive introduction to modern archaeological research methodologies and techniques, as well as the key theoretical issues in the discipline. Students will gain hands-on experience through an immersive four-week learning program that combines excavation, analysis, and digital technologies, providing a thorough understanding of archaeological practices.
Program Overview:
The field school involves 4 weeks of active archaeological fieldwork, with a focus on:
- Archaeological Excavation: Using the single context recording system to document findings.
- Site Recording: Includes technical drawing, context recording, and photography of excavation areas.
- Artefact Processing: Handling, cleaning, and storing ancient artifacts.
- Artefact Retrieval & Finds Cataloguing: Systematically cataloging discovered objects.
- Application of Digital Technologies: 3D scanning and digital photogrammetry to record and analyze archaeological contexts.
- Field Trips: Visits to nearby archaeological sites, antiquariums, and museums to explore additional aspects of ancient cultures.
- Lectures: Delivered by faculty and specialists, providing additional insights into the archaeological process and the history of the region.
Location: Torre Mordillo (Spezzano Albanese), Cosenza, Italy
Number of Students: 10
Professor: Dr. Ilaria Battiloro, Classics
Academic Credit: 6 credits (CLAS 3501 and CLAS 3511)
Program Fee: Accepted students are required to pay a program fee of $3200 to Mount Allison. This fee covers:
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Insurance
- In-country travel expenses
Note: The program fee does not include travel from Canada to Italy, transportation from Rome to Sibari, the Study Abroad fee, or tuition.
Language Requirement: No formal language requirement; however, some knowledge of Italian is considered an asset.
Apply to the Torre Mordillo Archaeological Field School
Deadline to apply: January 20, 2025
Questions? Email Dr. Ilaria Battiloro, Department of Classics, at ibattiloro@mta.ca.
