REU Site: The Athienou Archaeological Project, Cyprus

REU 遗址：塞浦路斯 Athienou 考古项目

• 批准号: 0354003
• 负责人: Michael Toumazou
• 金额: $ 22.5万
• 依托单位: Davidson College
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-02-15 至 2008-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0354003&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: REU; Site; Athienou; Archaeological; Project

The Athienou Archaeological REU Site in Cyprus has been investigating long-term culture change in central Cyprus since 1990. This multidisciplinary undertaking combines field training in archaeological methods (excavation and survey) with analyses of the natural and cultural contexts of ritual and secular use of the ancient and modern landscape. The specific problem that guides the project's research agenda is the degree to which rural areas were assimilated into regional and interregional economic, political, social, and religious networks of exchange. A focus on regions is essential to such considerations since it is only by comparison to events in other parts of Cyprus and elsewhere in the eastern Mediterranean that past and present human activity in the area of Athienou makes sense. While the Athienou region and in fact Cyprus as a whole may be viewed as marginal in the evolution of western civilization, the project areacan, nonetheless, be seen as a laboratory for the study of culture change.Ten outstanding undergraduate students are provided with the opportunity to join this Site and (1) receive instruction in survey and excavation techniques (e.g., remote sensing, computer-assisted mapping), record keeping and data management, and artifact analysis, (2) participate in seminars taught by specialists on archaeological method and theory and the cultural history of Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, (3)visit archaeological sites and museums on the island, (4) plan and complete an independent research project bearing on the work of AAP, and (5) live in Athienou and learn about life in modern Cyprus. A part of their experience with AAP, the students find themselves at the intellectual vortex created by the presence of many international scholars representing the fields of Social Sciences (archaeology and history), Humanities (literature, and art) and Natural Sciences (chemistry, geophysics and biology) working towards a common goal. Thus the students benefit enormously not only through their interaction with different disciplines, but learn the value of cooperation across disciplines and cross-fertilization of ideas. By the end of the 7-week experience students will have gained a deep understanding of the methods of archaeological theory and of field research, including most recent approaches to data collection and analysis. Their undertaking of independent research - sometimes on artifacts brought to light by themselves or their peers - and carry it through with the aim of publication will give them confidence in their abilities to work as scientists, and accomplish set goals. This mentally and physically demanding program prepares the students for productive careers in archaeology or related fields, or in whatever other career they pursue.The Site's broader impact to society is manifest in many other ways. Through site tours led by the staff to K-12 school children, public lectures and articles in the media, the Project contributes immensely in educating people on the importance of archaeological remains and helps stem illicit looting for profit. The cross-cultural interaction between the staff and students on the one hand, and the local population on the other, helps forge lasting friendships and bridges of understanding between the US and Cyprus. This award contributes to the Foundation's continuing efforts to attract talented students into careers in science through active undergraduate research experiences.

自1990年以来，塞浦路斯的阿蒂埃努考古REU遗址一直在调查塞浦路斯中部的长期文化变迁。这项多学科的工作将考古方法（挖掘和调查）的实地培训与古代和现代景观的仪式和世俗使用的自然和文化背景分析相结合。指导该项目研究议程的具体问题是农村地区在多大程度上被纳入区域和区域间的经济、政治、社会和宗教交流网络。对这些考虑必须以区域为重点，因为只有将阿蒂埃努地区过去和现在的人类活动与塞浦路斯其他地区和东地中海其他地区的事件相比较，才有意义。虽然阿蒂埃努地区和整个塞浦路斯在西方文明的发展过程中可能被视为边缘地区，但该项目区可以被视为研究文化变迁的实验室。10名优秀的本科生将有机会加入该遗址，并（1）接受调查和挖掘技术方面的指导（例如，遥感、计算机辅助制图）、记录保存和数据管理以及人工制品分析，（2）参加由专家讲授的关于塞浦路斯和东地中海考古方法和理论以及文化历史的研讨会，（3）参观岛上的考古遗址和博物馆，（4）计划并完成一个与考古协会工作有关的独立研究项目，和（5）住在阿蒂埃努，了解现代塞浦路斯的生活。 他们与AAP的经验的一部分，学生们发现自己在由代表社会科学（考古学和历史），人文学科（文学和艺术）和自然科学（化学，物理学和生物学）领域的许多国际学者的存在创造的知识漩涡朝着一个共同的目标工作。因此，学生们不仅通过与不同学科的互动受益匪浅，而且还学习了跨学科合作和思想交流的价值。在为期7周的体验结束时，学生将深入了解考古理论和实地研究的方法，包括最新的数据收集和分析方法。他们从事独立研究-有时是关于他们自己或他们的同行发现的文物-并以出版为目的进行研究，这将使他们对自己作为科学家工作的能力充满信心，并实现既定目标。这个对身心要求很高的课程为学生在考古学或相关领域的富有成效的职业生涯做好准备，或者在他们追求的任何其他职业中。该网站对社会的广泛影响在许多其他方面都很明显。通过由工作人员带领的对K-12学童的现场图尔斯参观、公开讲座和媒体文章，该项目极大地有助于教育人们了解考古遗迹的重要性，并有助于制止非法掠夺牟利。一方面，工作人员和学生之间的跨文化互动，另一方面，当地居民，有助于建立持久的友谊和理解美国和塞浦路斯之间的桥梁。 该奖项有助于基金会通过积极的本科研究经验，继续努力吸引有才华的学生进入科学职业。