The Valle Gianni Field School is a four-week program that provides participating students the opportunity to gain hands-on excavation and survey experience at the site of Valle Gianni. While on site at Valle Gianni, students will learn about the history of the region as well as archaeological excavation techniques, materials processing, archaeological survey, GIS and mapping, and proper scientific data recording techniques.
In Gradoli, students will share apartments in the medieval center of town. Lunch will be provided on site and dinner will be provided at a local restaurant. Students are responsible for their own breakfasts but will be provided a snack on those days they are on site.
The field school will be run through the Office of International Studies and Programs at Illinois State University. Students who are not currently enrolled at ISU can apply to participate as an at-large student and every effort will be made to arrange for transfer credit to your home institution.
Graduate students who are interested in participating in the field school are encouraged to contact Dr. Cline or Dr. Jasper directly.
Summer 2025
Program dates: May 17-June 14
Cost: The budget for the program can be found here. Note that there are two prices based on the number of participants. If you have any questions about the budget, please reach out to Dr. Lea Cline (lkcline@ilstu.edu).
What is included in the cost? The program fee includes: all housing, two group dinners, morning snack and lunch on site every work day, all ground transportation (including airport transfers), and entrance to all museums/sites during program outings.
Program Schedule
Students should plan to arrive in Rome on May 17 (meaning that you should plan to leave the US on May 16). Students will be taken to the Rome (FCO) airport on June 14 for departure.
(Note: this schedule is subject to change. The arrival and departure date will NOT change.)
| Date | Day | Place | Classes / Meetings | Other |
| 17 May | Saturday | Arrive | Arrive at FCO (Rome) Bus to Gradoli | |
| 18 May | Sunday | Gradoli/ Bolsena | Introduction to Gradoli (Palazzo Farnese) PM: Group dinner in Bolsena | Visit: Archaeological Museum (Bolsena), Catacomba di Santa Cristina |
| Week 1 | ||||
| 19 May | Monday | Gradoli | On site, training and preparation | |
| 20 May | Tuesday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 21 May | Wednesday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 22 May | Thursday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 23 May | Friday | Gradoli | Free day | |
| 24 May | Saturday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 25 May | Sunday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| Week 2 | ||||
| 26 May | Monday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 27 May | Tuesday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 28 May | Wednesday | Gradoli / Orvieto | Morning (site or lab); afternoon visit to Orvieto (archives, necropolis) | |
| 29 May | Thursday | Free day | ||
| 30 May | Friday | Free day | Organized pick-up from Orvieto train station | |
| 31 May | Saturday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 1 June | Sunday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| Week 3 | ||||
| 2 June | Monday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 3 June | Tuesday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 4 June | Wednesday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 5 June | Thursday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 6 June | Friday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 7 June | Saturday | Free day | ||
| 8 June | Sunday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| Week 4 | ||||
| 9 June | Monday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 10 June | Tuesday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 11 June | Wednesday | Gradoli | On site, excavation | |
| 12 June | Thursday | Gradoli | On site, backfill | |
| 13 June | Friday | Gradoli | Free day Final Group Dinner | |
| 14 June | Saturday | Home! | TBD Depart Gradoli for Rome/FCO |