The Cave of Bedmar
The Cave of Bedmar is a Middle Paleolithic to Neolithic site placed at Mágina mountain range natural park, nearby the town of Bedmar, in the province of Jaén, southern Spain.
It was firstly discovered in 2013 by a member of Fundación Instituto de Investigación de Prehistoria y Evolución Humana (FIPEH). Since then, FIPEH is in charge of the scientific research of the site, carrying out several campaigns that result in the discovery of an increasing number of archaeological remains. These findings span from Mousterian stone tools, Neolithic ground stones and pottery, to Magdalenian remains, among which two complete necklaces were found.
During the summer of 2016, a new excavating area within the complex of the Cave of Bedmar, named as ‘Cueva del Portillo’, was opened. The work done during this campaign allowed the finding of about 2500 remains, revealing the archaeological potential of this region.
Course
The purpose of International Field School In Archaeology: Bedmar Prehistory is to introduce the participants to the field of archaeological science, the Quaternary period, and human evolution.
Objectives:
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Provide the participants with theoretical and practical training in archaeological methodologies and techniques.
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Help develop the regional cultural heritage of Bedmar by contributing to the preservation, recovery, and research of its archaeological remains.
Who:
This field school is designed for undergraduates and graduate students in archaeology, history, art history, biology, geology, and any other field related to archaeology, as well as any other person interested in archaeology.
Main Activities
The course is divided in two main sections:
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Fieldwork: Excavation and laboratory.
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Coursework: Lectures and practicum.
Excavation: the participants will perform shovel test pits (STP), excavation 1m-side squares under a cartesian coordinate system for further excavation and on-site dry sieve.
Laboratory: cleaning, identification, classification and registration of artifacts in a digital database of the archaeological material (bone, lithics, malacofauna, charcoal, microfauna). Additionally, the participants will work on the sediment extracted form the site. This includes, washing, drying, and heavy fraction.
Lectures and Practicum: taught by researchers and professors from Spanish and international universities, and members of FIPEH. Its main focus is on the archaeological research the Quaternary period and human evolution.
Week 1 (July 9th – 15th)
9th
10th
11th
12th
13th
Opening
Introduction to Archaeology of the Quaternary
Archaeological methodology of excavation and laboratory work
Nondestructive methods in archaeological prospecting (Ground-penetrating radar)
Introduction to Speleology
Week 2 (July 16th – 20th)
16th
17th
18th
19th
20th
Paleontology Systematics: Mammal Identification (teeth and cranial/postcranial bones)
Analytical Methods in Taphonomy
Herpetofauna
Anthracology (identification of wood charcoal)
Palynology (identification of pollen)
Week 3 (July 23rd – 27th)
Dating Methods: C14 and OSL
Dating Methods: Uranium–Thorium
Archaeology of the Iberian Peninsula
Methods of Restoration and Conservation in Archaeology
Paleoanthropology and Human Evolution
23rd
24th
25th
26th
27th
Week 4 (July 30th – August 3rd)
Physical Anthropology
Physical Anthropology
Flint knapping
Use-wear analysis
Closing
30th
31st
1st
2nd
3rd
Additional Activities
In addition to the main activities, we offer a set of practical courses and workshops:
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Course in speleology
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Workshop on identification of primates and human fossils over the course of Hominid Evolution
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Flint knapping workshop
Recreational and Cultural Activities
Recreational and cultural activities will take place along with main and additional activities. These are optional activities.
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Source of Cuadros River: Field trip to enjoy the surrounding landscape of this magical location while taking a swim.
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Úbeda and Baeza: Both towns declared as Heritage Site by UNESCO.
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Cazorla: Visit to the Interpretation Center of the town of Cazorla and hike by Barosa River.
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Evening Activities: Festive evening musical events of the CLUVE 2018 program sponsored by the Town Council of Bedmar.
Additional Information
Arrival: The participants must plan to arrive on July 5th.
Pick up & Drop off: On arrival and departure dates FIPEH will provide transportation between the residences and these locations:
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Bus Station Jaén (Jaén, Spain)
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Train Station Linares-Baeza (Jaén, Spain)
Participants are responsible for travel from their country of origin to the pick up locations.
Accommodation & Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided 7 days a week at the residence. There will be special recipes for those who have dietary restrictions such as diabetes, allergies or gluten intolerance and vegetarians. Accommodations are in shared rooms located in Bedmar (Jaen), at Municipal Dormitory (Residencia Municipal).
Leisure Time: Participants are allowed to leave their residence and enjoy their spare time in or out of Bedmar on their own. Participants are responsible for the costs of any activity during these periods. The FIPEH organization can provide information related to cultural activities and how to reach them.
Total hours: 173h of teaching.
Certificate of completion of hours: Participants receive an official certification by Universidad Internacional de Andalucia (UNIA) which states the number of hours of training they have completed. In order to obtain the certificate, participants are required to attend at least 80% of the total hours of the course, including practicum and lectures.
Insurance (included): Insurance for the participants in the International Field School In Archaeology: Bedmar Prehistory is included in the price. This insurance covers medical assistance, hospitalization, permanent disability and accidental death from course-related activities.
Cueva del Ángel: After finishing the International Field School In Archaeology: Bedmar Prehistory, the participants can stay until the end of August in Lucena (Córdoba) for no extra cost. The purpose is to perform laboratory activities on the archaeological remains from Cueva del Ángel. Those who choose this option, will enjoy accommodation in shared rooms, meals 7 days a week and insurance. More information...