Thursday, April 4, 2019
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Archaeological Exploration of Sardis Office
Somerville Research Facility
200 Inner Belt Road
Somerville


Sardis, capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, has been central to the story of antiquity and the emergence of coinage. As part of Alexander the Great’s empire,  the Seleucid kingdom, and later the Roman and the Byzantine empires, the city thrived as a major administrative and ecclesiastical center until its fall to the Sasanians in 616 CE. Systematic excavations of the site since 1958 by Harvard and Cornell Universities, as well as a comprehensive research and publication program, have illuminated aspects of its landscape, built environment, social and religious topography, and material culture. Ongoing conservation and site development projects promise to transform the site of ancient Sardis into an open-air archaeological museum, benefiting not only its visitors but also the inhabitants of Manisa’s Salihli district. In this workshop, we will introduce participants to archaeological theory and praxis, focusing in particular upon the tools and techniques employed by the Archaeological Exploration of Sardis to uncover the city’s rich past.


Admission is free and open to Harvard students and affiliates. Capacity is limited to 15 and registration is required. Please be prepared to present a photo ID at check-in.
 
A free shuttle runs between the Prescott Street entrance to the Harvard Art Museums (corner of Prescott and Broadway, in Cambridge) and the Somerville Research Facility. Please plan to arrive at the Harvard Art Museums Prescott Entrance at 9:30 AM for the shuttle to Somerville. After the workshop, the return shuttle will arrive back at the Harvard Art Museums at 12:30 PM.  

If you prefer to drive, there is abundant free parking onsite. Drive to the end of Inner Belt Road; the large, four-story brick building on the left is your destination. As you approach the building, bear right and drive along the road running parallel to the building. You will drive past the main entrance on your way toward the parking lot, located at the rear of the building. Park in any of the sections marked “Harvard.” Please note the workshop itself will run from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM.