Excavate in Spain: 2024 Archaeological Summer Programs
Students will excavate an urban habitat of more than two thousand years and will be able to extract and study objects belonging to the pre-Roman culture of the Vaccean people. Pintia was one of the most important cities of the Vaccean, Celtic people that inhabited the central zone of the Iberian peninsula during the Iron Age. During the last thirty years, the University of Valladolid has worked to bring to light the remains of the city, its wall and its necropolis, as well as its artisan neighborhood, with the largest kiln in Europe. In the latter over three hundred tombs have been excavated and thousands of ceramics, weapons and several treasures have been discovered and studied.
Next summer we will excavate an area of the city during July. Students will learn various techniques of Archaeology, from field work directly at the site to description, treatment and photographing of the uncovered pieces.
At Federico Wattenberg Center for Vaccean Studies, we can assure you that there will also be moments for fun, leisure and culture. In this sense, we have prepared several cultural trips so that you can visit and get to know some of the wonderful Spanish cities; where you can discover fabulous medieval surroundings with monasteries, churches, castles... Pintia Archaelogical Site is one of the largest archaeological projects in Spain, given the size of the site and the years dedicated to its excavation and study. Your collaboration is very necessary in order to maintain, year after year, the public awareness of the Vaccean culture and findings.
See you this summer in Pintia!
More information on the excavation programs & services and facilities of the CEVFW.
Archaeology at Pintia: a Vaccean town in Spain
Impressions and testimonials
Nicole Rossiter (Flinders University, 2017) | Jaron Davidson (Brigham Young University, 2017)
Kristen Squires (Hood College, 2017) | Sarah Bell (University of Aberdeen, 2017)
Jason Cellars (Loyola Marymount University, 2017) | Zachary Goldstein (Loyola Marymount University, 2017)
Joshua Ramsey (Loyola Marymount University, 2017) | Julien Royer (University of Oregon, 2016)
Loreto Lopez (Loyola Marymount University, 2016) | Julian Frink (University of St. Andrews, 2016)
Dax Ritter (Indiana University, 2016) | Emily Eckford (University of York, 2016)
Margot Serra (McGill University, 2016) | Anna Seitz (University of Virginia, 2016)
Laura Hernandez (California State University, 2016) | Priscilla Perez (California State University, 2016)
Caitlin Downey (Washington State University, 2016) | Megan Caveney (Michigan State University, 2016)
Susan Doughty (Brentwood, Tennessee, 2015) | Stephen Mangelsdorf (Loyola Marymount University, 2015)
Stevie Preater (Roehampton University 2015) | Nicole Magenheimer (Baylor University, 2015)
David Otto (Brentwood, Tennessee, 2015) | Gabrielle Callan (University of Melbourne, 2015)
Iona Casley (University of Cambridge, 2015) | Elena Sandoval (University of California Santa Cruz, 2015)
Uriel Hernandez (East Palo Alto, California, 2015) | Erikson Mendoza (California State University of San Marcos, 2015)
Sareeta Zaid (University of Sidney, 2015) | Abigail Judkins (University of California Santa Cruz, 2015)
Alison Reda (Rutgers University, 2015) | Timmis Maddox (James Madison University, 2015)
Gayatri Kathuria (Parsons The New School of Design, 2015) | Alexandra Toomey (University of Bristol, 2015)
Sierra Brown (Florida State University, 2015) | Kamillia Scott (University of Pennsylvania, 2015)
Richard Gracia (Roseville, Australia, 2015) | Leah Palmer (Oakton Community College, 2014)
Elizabeth Melampy (Harvard University, 2014) | David Wallance-Hare (University of Toronto, 2014)
Morgan Rose (St. Vincents Private Hospital, 2014) | Katherine Morrow (University of Otago, 2014)
Sara Deurell (University of Louisville, 2014) | Troy Cunio (University of Central Florida, 2014)
Ayaka Shimo (University of Hawaii, 2014) | Andrew Lisec (Chicago, Illinois, 2013)
Benjamin Raymond (James Madison University, 2013) | Jessica Waterworth (Dunedin, New Zealand, 2013)
Melida Isern (Roma, Texas, 2012) | Jessica Pearson (La Trobe University, 2012)
Kaitlin Daniel (Ohio State University, 2011) | Jingyi Zhang (Durham University, 2011)
Nikolaus Cox (Western Heights High School, 2011) | Victoria Weaver (Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, 2011)
Nicholas Chaudakshetrin (Exeter University, 2010) | Katherine Jablonski (Tulane University, 2010)
Victoria Schuppert (Wheaton College, 2010) | Shane Shelby (Columbia University, 2010)
Annelies Van de Ven (University of St. Andrews, 2010) | Landon Perlett (University of Saskatchewan, 2009)
Rachel Whittington (Durham University, 2009) | Aileen Tierney (County Meath, Ireland, 2009)
Emily Cleland (St. Thomas University, 2009) | Henry Clarke (Oxford University, 2009)
Michelle Whipp (Louisiana State University, 2009) | Stephanie Bullard (Springfield, Ohio, 2009)
Trevor Jordan (Sydney, Australia, 2008) | Cristy Gelling (University of Pittsburgh, 2008)
Scott Brownlie (Kent State University, 2006) | Emma Thomas (Glasgow University, 2006)
«I had done one other dig before so I knew the general outline of how an excavation was supposed to go, but this program definitely helped me understand the process in more detail and experience everything from breaking ground to taking soil samples. And the staff was amazing. Both on and off the site they helped us get the most out of the program. They helped us when we had any problems and gave us all constructive criticism during the dig and lab work.»
«We had the opportunity to study a site on paper, in the field and speak one-on-one with the professional archaeologists who have dedicated their lives to Pintia. I never thought I’d feel at home outside my hometown, but this month changed my mind.»
«It would be impossible to sum up everything I learned in a few sentences, but if you go on this trip you will learn. The lectures were very informative and, paired with the digging, were a wonderful opportunity. But I was happiest in the trenches with a pickaxe, shovel, sieve or brush in hand. It was the experience as a whole —the ups, downs, frustrations, excitement, the good, the bad, the ugly (and after a day in the trenches you ARE ugly) —that made this such a worthwhile experience.»
«The Archaeology I experienced during this program is something I could have never found in a class or book. I had read about the excavation process, the mapping and surveying, the drawing and more, but it wasn’t until I actually was able to experience it firsthand that I knew what it all meant. And I really learned what it was like to live in a Spanish environment. I will never forget the time in Padilla de Duero. It was so wonderful getting to know everyone, especially because we all came from such different backgrounds.»
«I will never forget the morning I went out early with a few others to uncover the first tomb. I got such an adrenaline rush when we exposed the pottery and the dagger. I spent all day in the trench lifting finds out of the tomb, which was so rewarding after all that hard work. Before I went to Pintia I knew very little about how the evidence of ancient history was actually gathered, but now I feel like I know a great deal, from how to excavate the trenches and handle the archaeological material to mapping and processing the tombs in the lab. The work requires a lot of patience and effort, but the rewards of excavating tombs, going on fantastic excursions and just getting to know lots of really interesting people are incredible!»
«The Pintia dig provided a perfect introduction to the complete archaeological process, from swinging a pick and shovel, to excavating and conserving finds, and all the steps between. And all of this practical knowledge was supplemented by an education in the Vaccean people to provide context to the finds. There is a thrill unlike any other when you remove a pot from the dirt and you realise that you are holding something that was put into the ground 2,500 years ago by another human being.»
«No matter how much you study at school about archaeological theory and practice, nothing compares to actually working at an archaeological site —from how to dig, draw, clean pottery, and excavate a tomb, I’ve probably gained more practical knowledge in a month here than in two years at college.»
«I learned how to take elevations and measure points to make drawings of the site. I also learned how to clean & draw artifacts after removing them from the site, how to measure volume of vessels and how to put vessels back together.
I learned a lot about the Vaccean culture in Spain, and the Roman conquest of the Iberian peninsula. I also learned about the architecture in Spain, specifically in Segovia.
I really enjoyed canoeing in the Duero River, cooking with my fellow students, and attending the festival in the town. Although, honestly, the whole sessions was filled with wonderful, memorable experiences.
I will definitely always remember visiting the prehistoric caves in Santillana del Mar and the town itself. I am as yet still incapable of putting the experience into words.
I would rate the staff very highly. Carlos is very knowledgable, welcoming and encouraging, Rita is a very dedicated translator and skilled archaeologist, and Eva is just the best all-around. I also really appreciated the contributions of the Pintia volunteers, as well.
The program has so far exceeded my expectations and I am excited to be attending two more sessions. I really enjoyed all of the excursions, the dig was a wonderful experience and so far I've enjoyed my time with the staff & my fellow students.»
«This past month we have learned how to excavate, measure, map and analyze tombs and other archaeological artifacts. It was a true hands-on experience as the staff and professors let us fully participate in the excavation process. I recommend this program to anyone who wants a practical introduction into Archaeology and who wants to have a more extensive view in the study of ancient history.»
«I think is is very important that we were able to try almost every excavation process as well as experiencing the post-excavation techniques. It was great that the archaeologists gave us so much freedom so we were actually able to learn and practice. And I felt honored that we were welcomed into the community and considered part of the village, even if only for a month. One of my favorite experiences was playing dominoes in the bar with one of the locals.»
«For those planning to take on this adventure, I would say to use siesta time for sleeping, take a daily journal of everything you do, bring a loaded iPod and a positive attitude. The work is well worth it when the day is over, but everything here is what you make of it. The cuisine is superb, especially if you’re willing to try new things, and local people are warm and inviting. The staff at Pintia are incredible: prepared, energetic and they worked hard every day alongside us. The best care was taken for all aspects of the trip and no detail was passed.»
«I learned that the past has its own pace —it cannot be rushed. The dead require patience in order to coax out their secrets.»
«I love the Spanish lifestyle! Also, I learned that Spain has an amazing history and too many interesting historical and archaeological sites for one trip. I would recommend the program to anyone new to Archaeology who wants to get a feel for what it really involves, to people interested in experiencing another culture at close quarters, and also to those who love doing jigsaw puzzles (handy when trying to piece together broken pottery).»
«Archaeology is hard work, requiring reliance on others in order for the digging to run smoothly. But it is very rewarding work when you have that sense of wonder when you remove your first pottery sherd or human bone or bronze broach. Digging, brushing and feeling that sense of discovery each time is awesome. There is a good taste of everything, from historical sites to nature walks to the food and digging each day... there was never a dull moment.»
«Taking out my first Iron Age tomb is an experience I will never forget, which felt especially gratifying after the two weeks of digging to reach it. And visiting the different Spanish sites provided a wide range of experiences to add to our increasing knowledge of Spain.»
«Two of the best learning experiences were the Osteology class where we identified and analyzed human and animal remains, and the pottery workshop where we made a box in the shape of a bull and used traditional decoration techniques. Also, I arrived with essentially no Spanish and I can now say that I left with a signficantly wider vocabulary than before!»
«I will never forget excavating Tomb 262 with my great friends Jena, Rita, and Álvaro. It was an amazing experience that required an incredible amount of patience, but once we had uncovered all the pottery there was no better feeling than holding something that was fully intact and created over 2,000 years ago.»
«Every day was a learning experience, from being on the site to experiencing Spanish culture. The pottery-making session led by Carlos was amazing. He is a magician! But our time excavating the wall was my favorite because everyone really bonded there, from our mud fights, wheelbarrow rides and races to the 'pool' we created. These memories will always be close to my heart.»
«My month in Spain was an amazing experience that I will never forget. At first I found the idea of living in a foreign country with people I didn’t know a daunting prospect, however after taking the plunge I never looked back. The Archaeology was fascinating and rewarding –there’s nothing like the satisfaction of discovering your first tomb.»
Because I had fieldwork experience prior to the ArchaeoSpain program I learned more about the small differences in methodologies used in the U.S. and Spain. Another part of the excavation that I enjoyed was the drawing and mapping of the site because I did not have much experience in that.
I definitely learned more about Spain in general while on the program than I thought I would. I think most anyone would get something out of Pintia but it will appeal most to people who really want to learn more about Spain and get hands-on experience with the excavations. All of it is such an immensely cultural interaction that anyone interested in people will get a tremendous feeling of understanding of a world outside their own, as well as a nice bit of archaeology and history.»
«I learned all the skills I need to make me competent in the field: what to look for, how to excavate, drawing, photography and restoration. And the staff is amazing. There were never any divisions between instructors and students. We were like a big family.»
«I learned a lot about the process of excavation, including stratigraphy and how to maintain provenience during fieldwork. I also learned more about Osteology, processing artifacts, site mapping, and techniques for drawing accurate representations of artifacts.
Much of Spanish history was pretty new to me, particularly the Celtic ancestry and influence of Iberia. The Vaccean culture is a part of history I knew nothing about. As for Spain in modern times, we spent a lot of time with people in Padilla de Duero, including joining in the celebration of San Antonio's fest day. We also got to see a lot of historic & cultural sites.
Seeing the cave paintings in Cueva del Castillo was definitely one of the highlights of my experience at Pintia. I also loved visiting the Anatomical Museum to learn more about Osteology, and getting to experience being part of an excavation team.
Celebrating with the team after finishing the excavation of the tomb is probably the most unforgettable part of this experience. Everyone joined in round of Spanish songs while drumming on encyclopedias, with ocassional breaks for dancing!
The staff is awsome! Everyone is so helpful, fun, and hospitable.
I couldn’t have asked for a better field school experience, and I’m grateful to all the people who shared that experience with me: my hard-working fellow students and the always-informative Pintia staff, the staff of ArchaeoSpain and the University of Valladolid and the kind and hospitable people of Padilla de Duero.
I loved this program! I learned so much and get great experience in the field as well as in the history & culture of Spain. My favorite thing was doing fieldwork and finding that I do truly love the work, along with the comeraderie that developed between all of us —the staff and the students.»
«I learned about funerary context-digging tombs is a very specific responsibility and privilege, and we learned how to do it.
I learned about ancient Spanish heritage alongside modern Spanish culture —the two inform each other and work together. Spain is beatiful, and we have gotten to see corners of the country that most people don't get to see. We are so lucky to have seen a full range of what Spain has to offer, from modern to ancient, and from city to country.
[My favorite experience was] the day we dug the tomb! It was the culmination of our weeks of digging. Uncovering the urns bringing that person back into memory was incredible. My favorite excursion was to the Cuevas de [Monte] Castillo. It was truly a magical place, especially as students interested in Archaeology.
I will never forget St. Antonio's Festival, when our dig Director invited us over to his house for some impromptu drinks & friendship. We played music, attempted Spanish songs, and had the most wonderful time with new friends in a new place. The language barrier didn't matter —we were all on the same page. It was lovely.
The staff was incredible! I have never wanted to speak Spanish more than I did when trying to talk to Carlos & Eva. Everyone we met was so friendly and welcoming. And of course, Rita made our time here safe, fun, and comfortable. She has so much love for Archaeology, Carlos has so much love for Pintia, and Eva has so much love for life —it is infectious. I love them all and the atmosphere they have created here. It's been a warm atmosphere in which I learned about Archaeology and about life.
The excursions were great —they helped create a more full experience of Spain. This wasn't 'just' a dig —it was an experience in Spain. It was both, which is very important and makes everything a little more situated —especially when the excursions are archaeological.
Carlos is incredible —he made us see how important Pintia is to him, and that kind of spirit is hard to ignore. It makes everything more fun and more worthwhile.»
«I’ll never forget being the first person in 2,400 years to see a Vaccean spearhead as it appeared in the ground. I loved learning about this forgotten culture whose way of life we are bringing back to light. We are on the front-line of history.»
«Archaeology is all about getting your hands dirty, and the Pintia course shows you what a career in field Archaeology is really like. We were encouraged to take part in every step of the excavation process, and all the staff were experienced in their fields and helped play a part in making our experience well-informed, enjoyable and rewarding. Also, we were immersed in Spanish culture as each week we went on well-organised excursions to various historic cities. We had plenty of time to let our hair down too, with a canoe trip down the Duero river and an exhilarating fiesta experience in nearby Peñafiel. This course is first-rate, an unforgettable month.»
«We learned a bit about all aspects of Archaeology, from breaking ground to cataloging artifacts. We learned theory, history, digging techniques & stratigraphy, archaeological surveying & drawing, pottery & bone cleaning, pottery drawing & reconstruction, and cataloging.
I learned a lot about the customs and language. Mealtimes were the best. The team quickly became great friends over the delicious home-cocked meals.
Participating in the San Juan Festivities at Padilla was an unforgettable opportunity to participate in a popular tradition. Plus, I got to jump over a fire.
I would rate the staff 10 out of 10. All of them clearly pour their hearts into this site. Rita in particular does an excellent job of balancing teacher, translator, leader, and friend roles. She is a big reason why Pintia was so great for me.»
«I knew next to nada about its history when I came to Spain, but when you eat and breath the past it’s hard not to walk away with a lot. There is not a high-enough rating for the staff.»
«I will remember everything. The excursions were amazing and being able to dig at a place that no human being has set eyes on in the past 2,000 years is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.»
«The program was excellent. My favorite parts were finding/excavating things and the excursions, because we got to see more of Spain.
I learned that Archaeology is difficult, phisically and academically. Although it can get exhausting sifting through dirt and picking it is extremely fun and rewarding to find artifacts that are capable of teaching so much about the past. I spent a few years learning Archaeology in a classroom, but I was glad to actually put theory into practice.
I learned a lot about Spanish culture through our excursions as well as through the staff. I also witnessed the beauty of Spain which was mind-blawing because I had never seen a landscape this beautiful before in my life. I also learned a lot about its architecture and history.
My most favorite experience was learning how to excavate because I never thought I would get the opportunity to do so. I also enjoyed the seminar on archaeological drawing because the instructor was very enthusiastic and I enjoyed trying to do it myself.
I don't believe I will ever forget the afternoon we went kayaking. Although I do not know how to swim, I felt safe the whole trip and seeing the vultures and canyons was absolutely beautiful.
The staff was excellent. I couldn't have asked for a more friendly, knowledgeable and kind group of people to spend 2 1/2 weeks with.»
«Before digging at Pintia, I had no experience with Archaeology. Staff an other students taught me the ropes-picking, sifting and moving earth. At first, Archaeology felt like manual labour. I had the calluses and aches to prove it, but once we brought our findings back to the lab it become a science. I learned to tell the age and sex of bones, the identity period of ceramic goods and the original form of metal remains.
Though we lived and worked in a small village, on our days off we travelled around North and Central Spain. Under the Roman Empire Spain flourished as a centre for agriculture and trade. Evidence of this rich history survives in the aquaducts of Segovia and the well-preserved villa at La Olmeda. These ancient engineering and artistic feats are complemented by Medieval castles, palaces and churches.
As a newcomer to Archaeology, almost every task was a learning experience. Some were physical, such as coordinating to move the massive limestone stelae the ancient Vacceans used as gravestones. Others were tests of patience and skill, like exposing delicate and precious grave goods without harming them. Learning to interpret our artifacts was the final challenge. It is always exciting to identify a new type of tool or ceremonial object.
Tempting as it is, the archaeologist can never take his precious findings for himself. Every coin, tool and vessel belongs in Spain, but I do not leave for home empty handed. I am lucky to have so many memories of my experience at Pintia: conseing down the picturesque Duero river, hiking the woody contryside and joining my friends...
[The staff was] energetic, enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. This combination is no less rare among archaeologist than among anyone else. What a treat to spend a few weeks learning with them! Wish you all the best!»
«The Center has quite a collection of archaeological finds which are kept away by glass. One of the most rewarding things about the program was that you met the people who discovered them. As such, when you see in person, you get to learn about the context of both the artifacts and when and how.»
«[I] learned proper methodical archaeological techniques and how to do them. Any other dig has just handed me a trowel and told me to get on with it. Didn't manage to excavate a tomb, but learned to be patient and meticulous when excavating complete pots.
I loved the close, small, friendly village community we were in. It was good to fully live the Spanish life and opposed to just living in an archaeological community.
The canoeing trip was just absolutely beautiful and something I've never done before. Also the Anatomy Museum at the University of Valladolid was just the most interesting place!
[The staff] were all friendly and welcoming and helped out with any little problems I had, going out of their way quite often! They work so long and hard, but never complain or seem like they don't want to be here.»
«I learned how to properly excavate and the process the archaeological remains we found. For example I learned how to wash and take samples from a funerary urn containing cremated remains. In addition I learned how to excavate following the different stratigraphic layers.
During this program I learned all about the Vaccean culture, especially about their funerary and daily life practices. For example, I learned that they had different types of funerary rituals, the most common one being cremation on a funeray pyre.»
«The program definitely met expectations, probably due to the amazing Pintia staff: Rita Pedro, Ester and Rubén, in particular. My favorite part was how much they tried to hand us do/practice all the components of genuine archaeological work. The group I worked with was also an amazing collection of people.
I learned many field techniques on this dig: how to pickaxe the initial layers, how to use a trowel and clean stelae, how to sift, etc. In addition I learned to clean and remove a funerary urn properly, including the ashes and bones fragments inside.
I learned an extraordinary amount about Spain during the program, as I had never learned much about modern-day Spain before. From the architechtural layout of the towns and cities to small-town, every day life to the bar scenes in Castilla y León, I could not be happier I decided to come to Pintia for three weeks.
My favorite learning experiences was getting real hand-on experience in Archaeology —a field I hope to go in to— as well as a variety of other smaller things: communication between two people who don't speak the same language, bondily with people from all over the world, hearing about global educational, political and archaeological systems, and hearing stories of the archaeologists past digs and taking many lessons from them.
[I will never forget] the first day when we went to Segovia. The city and castle were unlike any other I'd seen before (a great introduction to Spain) and our group of students really connected and made it much easier to be friends and work together on the dig.
The staff at the Center were some truly extraordinary people who I hope to see again in my lifetime. I guess I'll just have to come back to Spain!»
«[During the program] I learned how to excavate properly and how to clean pots. We learned about the importance of preserving the site by drawings and photography.
My favorite experiences were the excursions because we got to explore the neighboring villages as well as the digging. Having the hands on experience in Archaeology was the best learning experience.
Visiting Segovia was hands down my favorite memory.»
«The program met all my expectations. The staff was nothing but helpful and making sure we were well taken care of while on this program. My favorite parts would have to be learning new information while digging, during the seminars and out on excursions.
I learned that Archaeology takes a lot of patience and team effort. Not everything you dig, you will find something treasurable, but the experience you gain while looking is what matters. Whether its undestanding the history of the area your digging in or being as gentle as you have ever been when you do come across an artifact.
I learned a lot of things about Spain that I found quite interesting. As like their culture and certain meal times, 'siesta', specific vocabulary terms and discovered new foods!
My favorite learning experiences was when we went out on excursions because that's when I felt I learned the most. We were exposed to being out and witnessing Spanish culture in actions, learning through museums and building architecture and having our instructors tell us more about the city or town we happen to be in.
[I will never forget] out trip to Segovia. That's where I was first exposed to everything and bonded with all my roomates and staff members.
[I rate the staff] 10 being the highest, that's what I would rate the staff. They attended to our needs 24/7, make sure we were well taken care of, we understood everything we were taught, and taught material well. They also were super friendly and formed a bond with all of us that makes it so hard to leave.»
«Everything was amazing! The people were so nice and helpful. I loved the food (gracias Eva!) and I loved that everyone way willing to help me with my Spanish.
I learned about the processes behind the digging and that there was way more to it than I imagined.
[I will never forget] Valladolid because it was a beautiful city with to much to do and see.
[The staff] were nice and organized and very willing to teach.»
«The Pintia staff was amazing and worked hard to make it a informative, interesting and exciting experience. The truly made the program memorable.
I learned how to excavate tombs in the field and process them in the lab. In seminars, I learned about the Vaccean culture, archaeological drawing and photography and Osteology.
I felt truly emersed in Spanish culture from the friendly local community to siestas to the delicious food.
I really enjoyed learning about the area in which we were living, from the Vacceans to the Middle Ages to today.
[I will never forget] kayaking through the vulture sanctuary was breathetaking.»
«Considering it was my first dig, I learned how to excavate, record and process artefacts in the laboratory under a professional staff and in proper manners.
I expanded my knowledge on gastronomy, the Spanish language, social behaviors and the history of Spain.»
«I learned many things about Archaeology that cannot be taught in books and like every excavation, I learned about myself.
I developed a relationship with ceramics and I enjoyed the opportunity to develop further my archaeology photography skills. I also enjoyed the seminars and hands-on activities.
Kayaking on the Duraton River was inspiring and very beautiful. Tranquilo... To see vultures in the wild was a privilege.
The staff were friendly, generous and very attentive. They made me feel like a home.»
«Spain has a complicated and long history that has shaped the people today, and continues to affect them and their country. Because of this, their traditions and culture is rich and profound.
[I will never forget] pulling a small vase and spindle whorl out of a funerary offering in a grave. It reminded me that these ancient people were real and had feelings just like us.
The staff was wonderful, accommodating and kind.»
«I also learned a lot in the seminars. The excavation was very interesting in part because of the different system. The Spanish have their own ways of doing things and a very interesting culture. I thought cuisine was good and the people were wonderful. The change in pace was nice.
I liked too many experiences to choose just one. I really liked the Osteology lecture and the Pintia lectures. I learned a lot about the history of this area of Spain. I also loved the excursions which were always fun and interesting. Digging was great, but I also really like fieldwork.
We went kayaking on a river [...] and we saw a vulture and its nest up close, and it just looked at us and let us watch it. It was really cool. We also laughed a lot on site and just hanging out as a group. We were never made to feel unwanted. The staff was amazing and very kind.»
«Overall, it definitely fitted my expectations! The facilities [of seminars] were good and Barbosa and Félix were particularly good. I enjoyed the Museum of Anatomy in the Universidad and the Museum of Sculptures in particularly, they were both very interesting! The kayaking was also amazing.
[The staff] was delightful! Eva was wonderful as cook and driver, as well as the rest of the staff. All very friendly and tried to make sure we had a good time.»
«The Osteology classes and experience was much more through than I had expected and there was a nice balance between the lectures, the practicals, and the field excavation. Teachers [of the seminars] were amazing. [I will never forget] looking at the cadaver with Félix.
The tours with Eva were also all unforgettable. [The staff were] amazing! Eva makes everything exciting. We were far well and all of our needs were tailored to.
It surpassed my expectation and was an extremely rewarding experience.»
«Overall, the program absolutely met my expectations. As hosts, the team at Pintia went above and beyond their necessary duties to make us feel comfortable and safe. They were knowledgely and smooth through their transitions.
The seminars were great. Particularlly, the classes at University of Valladolid were a great introduction to many of the fields surrounding Osteology. The professors were awesome and it was a great experience as a student aspiring to curse in Medicine.
Overall, the activities/excavations were well spread out, I don't think I would change anything.
[I will never forget] classes at University of Valladolid for sure. Being in a school with such history gave me perspective on the profession and perpetuated my admiration for Medicine.
Facilities were good. Private space for students which was nice. It was hot, but fans were provided.»
«The program had a great balance of excursions, education and excavation. The content of the seminars were very interesting, the professors were great and the University was cool.
The excavations, the meals, the kayaking and the people were the best part. Carlos, Eva and Ángela were so fun and made the trip worth while!»
«I learned how to delineate stratigraphic layers precisely, how to soft through the rocky matter unlartred in search of extremely minute bone fragments and pottery sherds. We also learned how to identify different types and periods of Vaccean pottery.
[My favorite experiences were] road trips through the landscape of Spain [that] created indelible memories of beauty and vividness; canoeing down and up the river Duero; the various meals and foods which were prepared for the volunteers here.
[I will never forget] the road trip to the caves of Altamira due to the impressive landscape changes witnessed there in.
[The staff was] excellent, friendly, and always willing to answer questions.»
«Principally I gained an excellent overview of the fundamentals of an archaeological dig from start to finish. Included in this were identifying and clarifying stratigraphic unities, exploring archaeological unities, retrieving artifacts and the preparation, preservation and cataloging of finds.
It was fascinating to be introduced to Vaccean culture and Iron Age of Spain prior to the Roman conquest.
[My favorite experiences were] searching for Vaccean pottery at the site of the residential sector of Pintia and removing the contents of an intact Vaccean tomb.
[I will never forget] the guided tour of the Mount Castillo caves with paleolithic cave paintings. The close contact with such ancient human works was truly humbling.
I found the staff to be extremely helpful. They were inmensely welcoming and always happy to assist with our archaeological training and daily requeriments.»
«This program also taught me now to both clean and fit together pottery which I never would have gotten the chance to learn otherwise!
I also got a chance to learn about the fantastic Spanish culture today and feel/felt very welcomed the entire experience!
My favourit experiences would have to be the excurssions particulary because it gave us all a chance to learn about Spain's culture and bond as a group and experience new things.
[I will never forget] the canoe trip!
I would rate the staff 10 out of 10. All of you were completely amazing and I really really want to try and learn more Spanish so I come back again sometime after this year.»
«I learnt not only the basic digging but also the methodology such as mapping, and the reconstruction of the pottery.
All the members and the staffs were very warm and nice people.»
«Working and living with a group of people form different backgrounds for a month was a great experience, and learning about the Archaeology of Pintia was fascinating. I learnt how to go about excavations, especially learning about pottery. And I learnt a lot about the history of Spain and the Spanish way of life, which involves eating, drinking, sleeping and digging!»
«This was my introduction to the field of Archaeology, so just about everything I know, to-date, I learned here. A life long fascination with ideas, texts and objects from different times and different cultures brought me to Pintia. [...]The opportunity to hold in my hands objects made, used and last held by another person, from a culture, place and time so removed from my own, motivated me to apply for the program. I was not satisfied with only being able to look at artifacts through a glass in a museum, I wanted to be the first to find and learn from them in their own place. I wanted to learn about the science and process of Archaeology. This program was excellent for all my purposes. We were involved with virtually every step of the process: 1) how the area to be excavated is measured and mapped; 2) the application of stratigraphy —how to read what the earth has to tell us; 3) how to dig so that artifacts will not be damaged and to sift the earth so that the smallest shard is not lost; 4) how to define, photograph, draw, and take ceramic artifacts from the earth once they are discovered in situ; 5) how to clean and process artifacts when you have taken them from their resting place; and 6) how to organize the worksite so that it is safe and clean.
[...] Additionally, I was surprised and honored that professors in the field of Archaeology and related disciplines, from a prestigious University, would come to Padilla de Duero to teach us about Osteology, archeological drawing, photography, and the characteristics and uses of artifacts of the Vaccean culture. The field and lab experiences, combined with the various seminars offered excellent learning opportunities in different formats, which kept the group interested and involved. This combination introduced us to the broader perspective of Archaeology and its relationship to the fields of Medicine, Graphic Arts, information technology, Anthropology, Architecture and History... to name only the most obvious. The excursions to other historic sites in the area provided us with opportunities to see different Archaeology, from different periods and cultures, preserved and interpreted for public access in different ways.
I enjoyed learning about the 'layers of Spanish history', evidenced and recorded by Roman, Moorish, Jewish, Gothic, Medieval and Renaissance church architecture. I learned that there is archeological and anthropological evidence of human habitation on this peninsula since the dawn of time and that those early inhabitants expressed themselves artistically, leaving us a record of their lives on cave walls. I learned that even inland Spain loves to cook with fish. I learned that the weather in the North of Spain can be cold, even in June. I learned Venus and Mars appear HUGE in the Castilla y León skies.
I think the combination of experiences, mentioned above, was very important, but my favorite activities were all related to the dig site. I loved working outside and finding the the artifacts. The work was physically challenging for me some days, but I am so happy to have had this experience.
One day when we were cleaning a pot taken from a rather 'poor' tomb, only 4 pots, I felt a real sense of sadness... I was removing animal bones that had been left there by a person grieving for a lost loved one. I felt a connection with that person, whom I imagined as another woman. It lasted only a short time, but it was shared sympathy reaching across the centuries. I don't think I will forget that experience.
[The staff] Excellent! I tend to think of Dr. Carlos Sanz Mínguez as our Papa, planning and organizing our program, joking across the language barrier, teaching and leading excursions. The joy he finds in his chosen profession and his love for the Pintia project are obvious and contagious. A scholar and a gentleman, with a quirky sense of humor, he was the leader of our merry band.
Eva Laguna was our 'house mother', making sure we kept the environment clean, reminding us to wear our shoes at all times, driving us here and there, doing the shopping and still managing the other administrative duties she does for the project. Most importantly, she planned and prepared wonderful meals for our team and any other guest of the project who happened to be in Padilla de Duero. Some days that meant preparing food for 18 people. Lunch and dinner felt like family meals where everyone was welcome and well-fed. She was a quiet and reassuring presence.
Rita Pedro was everywhere at once, pushing us, prodding us to do our best, keeping us organized and interpreting back and forth between Spanish and English, neither of which is her native language. I am convinced that there is nothing she can't do. Funny and serious, at all times busy and moving, she was an inspiration. If I were young, she might pursuance me to choose Archeology for my profession.
José Luis González Llamas was always present, capably lending a hand wherever he was needed. He drove us from and to the Madrid airport, supported our efforts at the dig site, ever present to see that we had whatever we needed. Helping here, there and everywhere, we appreciate his good humor and quiet manner.
Marisa Mínguez often helped Eva to prepare meals, but her primary job is to process the artifacts and to teach us how to do the same. She was always patient, usually smiling and very good at what she does. She taught us the correct way to handle the delicate artifacts, how to clean them and how to organize every step so that the collections were properly labeled. She is a good teacher.
Despite the language barrier, the staff, the volunteers and the seminar instructors made the whole experience informative, enjoyable and truly memorable. Each did his/her job well, treating every team member fairly, with kindness and good humor. I am grateful for the experience they provided and for what they taught me about Archaeology, the Vaccean culture and northern Spain.»
«I learned how technical Archaeology can be. It is a lot more than sifting earth to find relics. There are strict processes that must be followed to keep the integrity of each pieces. Also I learned about Anatomy, drawing & photography.
I learned how inclusive the Spanish culture is. Also, I learned about how unique Spain's history is given the many empires that have utilized the Iberian peninsula.
[The staff was] knowledgeable, fun, and helpful.»
«I learned how to excavate cremation tombs, which I had never done before, and how to process the tombs afterwards. I learned how to use the laser measuring station and improved drawing.
Uncovering the tombs was, of course, unforgettable. I also really enjoyed and beneffited from the seminars of Osteology and archaeological drawing.
[I will never forget] seeing the first tomb we found be slowly uncovered and being able to help using brushes and other tools.
The staff are fantastic —very friendly and helpful. Rita in particular has done everything possible to make this an amazing experience.»
«I learned that Archaeology is a very hardworking profession. I learned that I love Spain and its culture. It was very nice to be able to live in a small village and experience Spain from a perspective other than a tourist.
My favorite learning experiences were experiencing another culture and being able to live like a local. I really enjoyed also to be apart of Spanish culture in their festivities.
I loved the festival of Sant Anthony. I enjoyed eating/drinking with the locals. It is something I will never forget.
I would rate the staff 10 out of 10.»
«I have no prior archaeological experience, therefore everything was a learning process for me. The staff was careful to make sure that everyone, those with experience and those without, were comfortable with wthat was to be done and why. Because we were fortunate to uncover several tombs it was necessary to learn each part of a discovery process. Through out the 18 days we learned to: dig within a grid section, sift the earth, identify and sort various pieces of artifacts and identify tombs. Then uncovering the tomb artifacts to a point where we; made 3 axis plots of the tomb and its artifacts, hand drew a representation of the tomb, photographed the tomb as a whole and each artifact separately, removed the items and finally in a lab photographed them again and cleaned them thoroughly. In the end we truly became fledgling archaeologists able to fully participate in the digging process by following a very rigorously defined methodology.
A tour of the area surrounding the dig site gave us an overview of the geology of the area and the advantages to people setting there. A view from a nearby high elevation gave us a over head view of the site we were to dig. Excursions to nearby (within 2 hours) locals showed us the mix of cultures that overtime contributed to what is now modern day Spain. Best of all was the ability live and work in a small Spanish town. We lived and took our meals in a local environment where we were welcomed warmly. The language barrier provided an opportunity to learn about each other, new friends made and new traditions to draw upon.
[My favorite learning experience was] the total dig process —start to finish: dig, sift, identify artifact fragements, identify tombs, uncover tombs, plot artifact locations in 3 dimensions, photograph tomb artifacts, remove from site, photograph in lab, dry clean items, take vessel content samples as appropriate, catalog, acid wash artifacts, water soak as final step.
Again to hold a household vessel last held by another person over 2,000 years ago is a uncomparable experience.
[The staff?] My answer will be short or be a lenghty tome. Thank you Carlos, José Luis, Rita, Eva, Marisa and many others for being our teachers, mentors, coaches, tour guides, housekeepers and new friends!»
«I study Ancient History but had never been involved in the archaeology aspect of history, which made everything I learnt a new experience. Rita was great at teaching archaeological practices from the basics and allowed us the time and space to feel independient whilst working. It was a great experience that has inspiral me to pursue archaeology further.
I learnt a few words of Spanish (pass me the wine, please). It was also great to experience a different type of Spain. Being in a small town of 60 people is quite different to going to Barcelona or Madrid and it was cool to see another way of life.
Excavating tombs was amazing! I also really enjoyed the cleaning of pottery as it felt like we were a part of the whole process.
[I will never forget] the digging, the people and the enviroment created. Also, I love siesta time.
I would rate the staff 10 out of 10. They are the best!»
«The program definitely met my expectations. The favorite parts being the excursions we had, as well as cooking together on International Night and the constant teaching we were given.
I couldn't studied the subject before so I've learnt an amazing amount in only two weeks. I learnt a lot about Spanish culture, longly thanks to the amazing excursions organized for us and and complete inmersion with those who felt more like a Spanish family than leaders of the excavation.
I loved learning about documenting Archaeology, such as photography pots and drawing them.
Uncovering and working on a tomb from start to finish was one of the most rewarding things I've ever done and I will never forget it.
[The staff?] They were all absolutely lovely, more like a family than those running the project.»
«The program taught me proper excavation techniques for tombs with cremated remains, as well as screening, shoveling and picking methods.
Spain has an interesting history, beautiful countryside, and a rich culture.
My favorite learning experiences were the excavation of the tombs and the removal of the human remains from the vessel.
[I will never forget] removing & sifting the dirt from inside the pottery vessel because the vessel that I was working on turned out to be the one with the cremated remains.
The staff are helpful, kind, and interesting people.»
«[During the program, I learned] proper digging, surveying, and organizational techniques. It was great to apply historical knowledge to physical labor and discovery.
It's not so much what I learned as what I experienced, the architecture, and history of these ancient sites were amazing to explore.
I really enjoyed the Osteology lab/lecture and the pottery sherd drawing exercise. They were engaging and interesting.
Actually unearthing a tomb and excavating the dirt around it will stay in my mind. Being on my hands and knees in a pit and carefully removing dirt from in between a jumble of pottery with a pick and paintbrush was very serene.
The staff was great! I wish we could have spare more time with Carlos or had him around the dig site more often. Carlos was an expert on Vaccean culture and I learned so much from him.»
«This was my first Archaeological Program and I learned so much during my stay: Archaeology, photography, drawing/sketching, Osteology, and some of the sessions we went over during the program that interested me.
We had excursions through Spain and all of our trips were educational towards Antropology and Spanish history. Spain has such a wonderful cultures, food and livelyhood.
Being at the dig sites were my favorite moments. Finding tombs and uncovery the past of the Pintia era and Vaccean traditions.
When I discovered a tomb and uncovered the remains of the past was my favorite unforgettable moments.
The staff was knowledgeable on the subjects of our dig. They were kind and welcoming. I am glad they were our second home away from home.»
«The program met my expectations and was enjoyable overall. I learned about the excavation technique on a funerary site and how to excavate intact pottery. I also learned about human anatomy and how to distinguish between metal, bone & stone/earth.
I learned some Spanish and about Spanish history and culture over time, from the Paleolithic era to modern times.
[My favorite experiences were] the human Osteology seminar where we assembled a human skeleton, and the archaeological material seminar where we handled bones from the site, and learning about cave paintings at the Paleolithic cave.
[I will never forget] going canoeing at the nature reserve with the vultures above our heads.
The staff were all friendly, helpful and supportive.»
«I learned the importance of methodology, the importance of all the tedious tasks —paid off so that we can learn about the past cultures. I also learned the process for processing the artifacts that are found, including numbering artifacts.
I learned about the culture of the locals —including the siesta schedule. I think that the history of Spain is very interesting and the people are very nice and willing to talk to you about their lives.
My favorite learning experiences were the seminar about Vaccean culture and the Osteology seminar.
River kayaking —it was very soothing activity that really helped everyone to become more comfortable and helped to make the awkwardness disappear.
I would say that the staff was very helpful and friendly. They were very accommodating and flexible. They were able to help me with everything that came up.»
«I learned about all of the hard and detailed work that goes into Archaeology. You have to learn about the history, the layout of the site, and how to carefully extract and clean artifacts.
I learned about Spain's rich history. My favorite parts of Spain are the preservation of historical structures and the mix of cultural influences on the architecture.
My favorite learning experiences were learning about the digging process on the site and exploring the surrounding areas of the necropolis and learning about the history of the area. My favorite place was Segovia because of the architecture and the castle.
I would rate the staff 10 out of 10. The staff made the trip an amazing experience.»
«[During the program, I learned] how to handle human remains and how to dig a straight, clean profiles.
I learned about the rich Spanish culture and how amazing the people were.
My favorite learning experiences were processing tombs and handling the human remains containing special objects.
[I will never forget] going to the beach in Saldaña, it was amazing and the company was even better.
I would rate the staff 10 out of 10. Absolutely amazing staff. Overall an amazing time that I will never forget.»
«Everything theme is to learn about Archaeology, I think. The history of the Vaccean which made it easier to put context into what we were doing. The lab work was my favorite [learning experience].
[I learned] how beautiful the country is and the people. Did not know it was so hot but it's amazing.
[I will never forget] everything, I hope. The enviroment, set up by the people made everything so much more fun and easy.
I would rate the staff 10 out of 10.»
«[During the program, I learned] pretty much everything. I arrived as a novice. The attention to detail and the notion of preserving the past were completely new to me.
I learned about Spain's pride over its heritage and about finer details of Spanish history.
Lab work and mapping tombs were my favorite skills to learn. The Osteology course was great too.
[I will never forget] the Anatomy Museum, the bar and the necropolis at night. The morning stretch session was the best.
I would rate the staff 10 out of 10.»
«[During the program, I learned] the basic techniques for extracting artifacts, how to draw, mesure, and document findings.
I learned a lot of about the Pre, Proto, and History of the country. I really enjoyed the seminars because they covered in detail the way the Vacceans lived.
[My favorite learning experiences were] seminars and excursions, I enjoyed the time spent taking with the people who are professionals in their field. My favorite overall had to be the drawing seminar.
I'll never forget a places, the caves on the side of the mountains, and also the Osteology seminar. I really enjoyed the excursions especially the Roman villa; also my favorite meal was the seafood paella
I would rate the staff 10 out of 10. Some of the most wonderful people I've ever met.»
«The extracurricular activities were very fun, and I got to see many parts of Spain I would not have seen otherwise. [During the program I learned] a lot about digging, record keeping, preservation, typology, etc.
The excursions were my favorite learning experiences, especially the Roman villa since I am studying Classics.
My favorite memory was after canoeing when we were in the river, I was floading in the water and looking to the sky realizing what a beautiful country I was in.
I would rate the staff 10 out of 10. All of the staff were friendly and accommodating. Even with the language barrier I felt their kindness.»
«It was a fantastic learning experience. There is no substitute for learning Archaeology in the field from experienced professionals.
The staff are the gold of Pintia. Rita, Eva, José Luis, Marisa, Rubén, and of course, Carlos. We were helped, guided, and prodded where need be, but in the end all of us felt Padilla was a second house.»
In the News
 |
Click here to read the Pintia cover story in Current World Archaeology magazine. |
Sara Marian (personal page, 2014) | Sara Deurell (University of Louisville News, 2014)
Ben Raymond (Reston Connection, 2013) | Andrew Lisec (personal blog, 2013)
Victoria Weaver(St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2011) | Nikolaus Cox (Rotorua Daily Post, 2011)
Victoria Weaver (STL Today, 2011) | Sara Woeckener (Brookfield Now, 2010)
Daniel Priore (The Los Angeles Loyolan, 2010) | Samantha Savory (Derry News, 2010)
Landon Perlett (The Sheaf, 2009) | Kevin Horng (Cranbury Press, 2008)
Kristen Uhlemeyer (University of Delaware Review, 2008) | Hillary Brockmeier (Fairfax Connection, 2008)
Allison Galbari (Newark Advocate, 2008) | Alexandria Waldrop (The Citizen, 2008)
Morgan Moffitt (Northern News Services, 2007) | Rachel Moffitt, Mark McCorry & Garth Stewart (Newsletter, 2007)
Mark McCorry (Dromore Leader, 2007)
And you can also visit our newspaper archives since 1984 (in Spanish).
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