University of Pisa Summer - Winter Schools & Foundation Course
Summer School Gallicano Field School in Medieval Archaeology and Bioarchaeology
Lucca, Italy
Summer Course
DURATION
18 days
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
20 Apr 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
29 Jun 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 1,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 1300 EUR for accomodation
Key Summary
The Gallicano Field School in Medieval Archaeology and Bioarchaeology offers students a unique opportunity to engage in archaeological and bioarchaeological fieldwork. The program is centered around excavations at the Pieve di San Cassiano site in Gallicano, a municipality located approximately 20 miles north of Lucca, Tuscany, Italy.
The Pieve di San Cassiano dates back to the early Middle Ages, though its exact foundation date remains uncertain. It was once a prominent religious center in the Serchio Valley, overseeing 23 churches. Following the Black Death in 1348, the Pieve gradually declined until its complete abandonment in the 15th century. Today, the site, nestled within a wooded area, offers a well-preserved archaeological context, including the remains of the church, outbuildings, fortifications, and extensive cemetery areas.
Previous excavations in 2024 uncovered an imposing medieval building (11th-13th century) measuring 24 meters long by 18 meters wide, with three naves and three apses. Significant cemetery phases were also identified in the churchyard and behind the apses. Additionally, the remains of an earlier medieval building with stone burials were discovered.
The 2026 excavation campaign will focus on further exploring the medieval and early medieval contexts, including the cemetery areas and the structures of the church and annexed buildings.
The Summer School will be activated with at least 6 students. The maximum number of participants is set to 12 students.
The Summer School will be held on campus, in Gallicano (LU), Località “Al Sano”.
This Summer School is part of a broader academic project led by the Division of Palaeopathology at the University of Pisa. This project aims to investigate the biocultural complexity of the region surrounding Lucca during the Middle Ages. Specific objectives include:
- Excavation and analysis of the medieval cemetery, focusing on demography, burial characteristics, and funerary rituals.
- Bioarchaeological analysis of the medieval population, including biodiversity, paleopathology, and activity markers.
- Reconstruction of the settlement’s evolution from the late antique period to the modern age.
- Analysis of the material culture of the religious center, with emphasis on commercial dynamics, economic activities, and the dissemination of technical knowledge related to the site’s life.
Beyond academic research, the project seeks to foster public engagement in archaeology. This involves involving the local community in archaeological research and implementing effective practices for sharing findings with the broader public, particularly regarding the significance of medieval human remains for contemporary society.
The Gallicano Field School provides students with a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in archaeological excavation and bioarchaeological investigation under the guidance of leading researchers.
Participants will learn about archaeological field methods, including survey, excavation, GIS, informatics, bioarchaeological techniques, skeletal remains handling, and material culture analysis. The program combines fieldwork with laboratory activities and lectures on archaeological theory and practice.
The program is open to a maximum of 12 undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students in archaeology, anthropology, or related disciplines from any country and institution.
ECTS: 10