Hands-On Practical Course: Archaeological Excavations of a Late Antique City

Duration: 20 days (on-site, intensive)
Dates: July 5 - July 24, 2026
Language: English
Location: Chomakovtsi, North Bulgaria (See on the map)
Price: € 1,983
Places availble: 6


Course Overview

The Late Antique Field School 2026 provides participants with an immersive introduction to professional archaeological practice. Designed for university students, early-career researchers, and motivated enthusiasts, the program combines rigorous field training with a structured curriculum of laboratory work, digital workshops and excursions.

Over the course of 20 days, participants engage in 15 full days of excavation, receiving methodical instruction in stratigraphic excavation, single-context recording, technical drawing, leveling, finds processing, and interpretive reasoning in the field. These practical components are reinforced by afternoon modules devoted to archaeological illustration, small-finds analysis, and digital documentation using QGIS, Adobe Photoshop and related tools.

By the culmination of the course, each participant will have acquired a solid grounding in archaeological field methods, complemented by a refined appreciation of the interpretive, analytical and technical skills that underpin contemporary archaeological research.



Project description

The teaching of the students follows a strict program. For this purpose at the site is developed a teaching center where in the first days of the school the participants are introduced to the basic methods in field archaeology: cleaning archaeological structures, single-context plan, section drawing, working with level.

After passing the first stage of the study the students are involved in personal (or group) tasks connected with the work at the site. The accent is on the development of their skills and abilities to describe and analyze the archaeological situations, filling in the scientific diary and statistical methods.

The afternoons between 5.00 and 7.00 PM are devoted to the post fieldwork which takes place in the field school residence place. The program offers basic knowledge and practical work with the material found, statistical and descriptive methods. A very important skill to be acquired is the documenting of small finds and archaeological illustrations. At the end of the program, the students will be familiar also how to use the computer software for archaeological purposes. This point includes working with graphical software (Adobe Photoshop), Geographic information system software (QGIS) and preparing scientific presentations (Microsoft PowerPoint).



International Summer School Facts in a glance

Main location: Pleven region, North Bulgaria
Site: Village of Chomakovtsi, locality "Kaleto"
Period: Late Roman period (4th - 6th c. AD)
Courses included: Introduction to the archaeological field methods and techniques
Academic hours: 40 hours practicum; 20 hours seminars
Project director: Krassimira Todorova (Bulgarian Archaeological Association)
Collaborating Institutions: Bulgarian Archaeological Association, Pleven Regional museum, Municipality of Cherven briag
Field school Regular session: July 5 - July 24, 2026
Application deadline: Until the places are filled but not later than 26 June, 2026
Minimum length of stay: One session (20 days)
Minimum age: 18 (16, if the participant is accompanied by an adult family member)
Number of places available per session: Maximum 6
Experience required: None

The Ancient Fortress near Chomakovtsi Village

In the lands of Chomakovtsi Village (Pleven Region, Northern Bulgaria) lies an impressive archaeological complex known as Chomakovsko Gradishte – one of the most significant ancient fortified settlements in the region.

The site was continuously inhabited from the Thracian period, through Roman and Early Byzantine times, into the Middle Ages, making it a true open-air historical archive. The fortress once covered an area of about 150 decares (approximately 37 acres) and was protected by massive stone walls up to 3 meters thick.

During the Roman era, the settlement served as a fortified town and road station on an important Roman route, connecting the Danube frontier with the interior of the province of Lower Moesia. Archaeological finds include Latin inscriptions, coins, and a necropolis, highlighting the site’s importance in antiquity. Some scholars associate it with the ancient settlements of Pompeanopolis or Zetnukortu.

Nearby are the Thracian fortress “Kaleto,” a signal and watchtower, and numerous Thracian burial mounds, forming a wider ancient defensive and settlement complex.

Today, the ancient fortress near Chomakovtsi remains largely unknown yet highly attractive for cultural and historical tourism, offering visitors a peaceful and authentic encounter with thousands of years of history.


Agenda

First day By 7.00 pm - Arrival and check-in.
8.00 - 9.30 pm - Welcome dinner.
*A pick-up may be arranged from Sofia airports upon request. Please check our Travel instructions section.
Working days In working days the breakfast is in 7.30 AM. We're leaving in 8.00 AM - it's takes about 20 minutes to reach the site. In 11.00 AM is the first break. In 1.30 PM we're leaving the site. The lunch is in 2.00 PM in the village. Between 2.30 and 5.00 PM the students have two and half hours for rest. The post field work starts in 5.00 PM and continue till 7.00 PM. The dinner is in 8.00 PM. More information about the meals and living conditions you can find in our Accommodation section.
Saturday / Sunday Free days.
Last day Departure
*Please check our Travel instructions section.

Travel, Accomodation & Practicalities

Access to the working place

Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to Bulgaria. The regular sessions begin on Sunday with a Welcome Dinner at 8:00 PM. Students should plan to arrive on the same day and travel from Sofia Airport to Cherven Bryag.

The meeting point is Cherven Bryag Railway Station at 7:00 PM, from where students will be transferred to Chomakovtsi.

Please note: Participants who arrive earlier than the scheduled dates are responsible for arranging their own accommodation. The organizers can provide assistance upon request.

The archaeological site is located approximately 150 km (about 90 miles) from Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia. The meeting point, Cherven Bryag, is about 170 km (approximately 105 miles) from Sofia. By train, the journey typically takes about 2–2.5 hours, with multiple daily connections between Sofia and Cherven Bryag operating on the Bulgarian Railways (BDZ) network.

At Sofia Central or Sofia Sever Railway Station, students should look for trains on the Sofia–Cherven Bryag route. There are numerous daily trains (around 18–19 per day), with journeys averaging about 2 hours and 20–30 minutes; the first trains often depart early in the morning and services continue throughout the day.

Students whose flights arrive later in the day may find it challenging to reach Cherven Bryag by train the same evening, so it is advisable to schedule flights to Sofia earlier in the day or to arrive the day before. Assistance with arrival logistics can be provided upon request.

Optionally, a transfer from Sofia to the archaeological site can be arranged upon request. Individual or group transfer prices vary depending on the number of passengers and range from EUR 30 to EUR 120.

The departure at the end of the session is scheduled for Saturday. The organizers will provide assistance with booking train tickets.

Arriving date: July 5, 2026.

Departure date: July 25, 2026.


Accommodation - Guest House Luksiya, Suhache

Guest House Luksiya is a cozy, traditional guest house located in the peaceful village of Suhache in northern Bulgaria, surrounded by oak and lime forests and natural scenery — perfect for students seeking a calm place to rest after field-work and study.

The guest house offers comfortable accommodation for up to 12 people, with well-equipped rooms featuring air conditioning and private bathrooms, and common areas such as a shared kitchen, lounge, garden, and outdoor barbecue facilities. Free Wi-Fi and private parking are also available.

Luksiya’s setting in rural Bulgaria — close to hiking trails, natural landscapes, and local cultural sites — provides an excellent base for students participating in archaeological programs, allowing easy access to field sites while offering a relaxing environment to study or recharge.

Airport transfers can be arranged for an additional fee, and the hosts are known for their hospitality and support for guests.


Visas

EU, American and Canadian citizens, do not need visas to travel and study in Bulgaria. Citizens from outside of the EU need passports to travel to the EU countries. Students, who are passport holders/citizens from countries outside of the European Union must arrange their visas through the corresponding embassy. Arranging the correct Visa is the sole responsibility of the student. No visa support documentation will be provided until all fees have been received by the organizers and a written request for visa support is signed and sent by the student.


The Admission Fee

The Admission fee includes: educational and fieldwork activities, full-board accommodation (3 meals per day), tools, materials, issue of Certificate of Attendance, and administrative costs.

The participation fee does not cover: international transportation expenses, transfer from Sofia airport to the excavation place and back, visa expenses (if is necessary), health insurance, CFAR travel insurance.



PERIOD OF STAY PRICE DISCOUNT
One session (3 weeks) € 1,983  
Super Early Bird (until 31 December 2025) - 3 weeks € 1,785 10%
Early Bird (until 15 March 2026) - 3 weeks € 1,850 5%
Group of three or more people - 3 weeks € 1,785 10%
Alumni students € 1,686 15%

*The discount is not cumulative! For example - if you are a group and apply with Early registration in the Application form you should check whether you prefer an Early registration discount (5%) or a Group discount (10%)

*If you need a visa for Bulgaria, you will have to pay an additional 250 euros, which includes state fees, certification, postal costs, and administrative processing of the documents.


FIELD SCHOOL APPLICATION

To join us you should simply fill in our Application form. In the time of applying we required 30 % of the participation fee to be paid in advance. This amount is not refundable! Your place is considered reserved only after the payment of the fee.

After receiving your application we will proceed with your documents and will contact you within three days with further instructions. The rest of the fee is payable two months before the beginning of the field school. This amount is fully reimbursable but in case of cancellation, you should inform us not later than one month prior beginning of the digs. After this deadline, the amount is not refundable!

Any additional questions concerning application procedure and field school you can send to baa@bgheritage.bg

Application form















See also our other course WORKING WITH MUSEUM COLLECTIONS