REU Site: The Athienou Archaeological Project, Cyprus

自1990年以来，塞浦路斯的Athienou考古遗址一直在调查塞浦路斯中部的长期文化变化。这个多学科的项目结合了考古方法（挖掘和调查）的实地培训，以及对古代和现代景观的仪式和世俗使用的自然和文化背景的分析。指导该项目的研究议程的具体问题是农村地区融入区域和区域间经济、政治、社会和宗教交流网络的程度。对区域的关注对于这种考虑是至关重要的，因为只有通过与塞浦路斯其他地区和地中海东部其他地方的事件进行比较，亚齐诺地区过去和现在的人类活动才有意义。虽然Athienou地区和实际上整个塞浦路斯在西方文明的演变中可能被视为边缘，但该项目地区可以被视为研究文化变化的实验室。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（例如，遥感，计算机辅助测绘），记录保存和数据管理以及文物分析方面的指导，(2)参加由专家讲授的关于考古方法和理论以及塞浦路斯和东地中海文化历史的研讨会，(3)参观岛上的考古遗址和博物馆。(4)计划并完成与AAP工作相关的独立研究项目；(5)居住在Athienou，了解现代塞浦路斯的生活。作为他们在AAP学习的一部分，学生们发现自己身处一个智力漩涡中，这是由许多代表社会科学（考古和历史）、人文科学（文学和艺术）和自然科学（化学、地球物理学和生物学）领域的国际学者创造的，他们朝着共同的目标努力。因此，学生不仅通过与不同学科的互动而受益匪浅，而且还学会了跨学科合作和思想交流的价值。七周的学习结束后，学生将对考古理论和实地研究的方法有深入的了解，包括最新的数据收集和分析方法。他们从事独立研究——有时是对自己或同行发现的人工制品进行研究——并以发表为目的进行研究，这将使他们对自己作为科学家的能力充满信心，并实现既定目标。这个对精神和身体都要求很高的项目为学生在考古或相关领域的富有成效的职业生涯做好了准备，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体现在许多其他方面。通过由工作人员带领到幼儿园至12年级的学生参观、公开讲座和在媒体上发表文章，该项目极大地教育了人们对考古遗迹的重要性，并帮助制止非法掠夺牟利。教职员工和学生之间的跨文化互动以及当地居民之间的跨文化互动有助于在美国和塞浦路斯之间建立持久的友谊和理解桥梁。该奖项有助于基金会继续努力，通过积极的本科研究经历吸引有才华的学生进入科学事业。

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.