Portugal Archaeology Program Fund

 Sponsored by the Department of Anthropology, the Bagunte Archaeology Program offers research and field work opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students. It is because of programs like the Bagunte Project that we as a global community have a better understanding of ancient societies and their role in the development of modern society. The graduate students and this program are pioneering new avenues of research by employing non-traditional theories and methods that are breaking the barriers of archaeological scholarship. We believe that people will be excited to learn about the Bagunte Program because our work uses technologies such as 3D scanning and printing, model-based design, and interactive platforms. In doing so, the program is producing research that is hands-on and visually engaging, which inspires a curiosity of the past that is accessible and current. 

The funding generated by HornRaiser will be used to support the ongoing research projects developed by UT graduate students working at the Cividade de Bagunte. While this work relies heavily on archaeological materials and artifacts, it also requires various forms of laboratory analyses, specialized equipment, and other materials that are often extremely costly.

Current research includes:

Using phenomenological theories and GIS to identify and understand Iron Age settlement patterns and the role of landscape in ancient society;

Applying consumption studies and behavioral economics to understand the sociocultural significance of production and consumption of ceramics before and after Roman conquest;

Using GIS and 3D technologies to render accurate and detailed images of Iron Age architecture and ancient construction techniques. Also, using chemical analyses to identify the elemental composition of mortars and other building materials. 

UT research and excavations began at the site in 2009, and have continued since. Generally, each summer professor Mariah Wade from the Department of Anthropology and her graduate students run a field school at Bagunte. Between 10 and 15 undergraduate students attend this field school where they spend 4 to 6 weeks learning about excavation techniques and methods, artifact conservation, and so much more! 

The material culture and samples such as soils and lithics collected during these field schools are the primary materials used in our graduate research projects. However, the analyses required to properly study these materials are costly! Your contribution will allow us to not only analyze archaeological materials, but will help us provide more information about the past to the public, as well as allowing our team to continue teaching and training the next generation of archaeologists!