REU Site: The Athienou Archaeological Project, Cyprus

智力优势：自1990年以来，阿蒂埃努考古项目（AAP）一直在调查塞浦路斯中部的长期文化变迁（1995年至2008年得到NSF的支持，2012年至2014年再次获得支持）。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实际上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，但该项目地区可以被视为研究文化变化的实验室。十名优秀的本科生有机会加入AAP，（1）接受调查和挖掘技术的指导（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史的讲座，（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，（5）居住在阿蒂埃努，了解现代塞浦路斯的生活。作为AAP体验的一部分，学生们发现自己处于社会科学，人文科学和自然科学领域许多国际学者的存在所创造的智力漩涡中，朝着共同的目标努力。学生通过与不同学科的互动受益匪浅，并学习跨学科合作的价值。在为期7周的AAP体验结束时，学生将深入了解考古学理论和实地研究，包括最新的数据收集和分析方法。他们从事独立研究，有时是对自己发现的文物进行研究，目的是出版，这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了准备，或者就此而言，在他们最终追求的任何其他职业中。更广泛的影响：AAP对社会的更广泛的影响体现在许多方面。通过现场图尔斯参观、公开讲座和媒体文章，该项目极大地帮助教育人们了解考古遗迹的重要性，并帮助制止非法掠夺。此外，2009年在阿蒂埃努建成了一个最先进的市立博物馆，其中收藏了大量由AAP发掘的文物（http：//www.athienoumuseum.org.cy/）。像AAP一样，博物馆的主要目的是教育，正如自成立以来的短时间内数千名学童的参观所证明的那样，并且是当地人的骄傲。当地居民和AAP工作人员和学生之间的跨文化互动有助于塞浦路斯和美国之间建立持久的友谊和理解的桥梁。国际部分：NSF国际科学与工程办公室共同资助了该奖项。

Intellectual Merit: The Athienou Archaeological Project (AAP) has been investigating long-term culture change in central Cyprus since 1990 (supported by NSF from 1995 to 2008, and again from 2012 - 2014). 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 area can, nonetheless, be seen as a laboratory for the study of culture change. Ten outstanding undergraduate students are provided with the opportunity to join AAP 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) attend lectures taught by specialists on archaeological methods 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.As part of their AAP experience, students find themselves at the intellectual vortex created by the presence of many international scholars in the fields of Social Sciences, Humanities and Natural Sciences, working towards a common goal. The students benefit enormously through their interaction with different disciplines and learn the value of cooperation across disciplines. By the end of the 7-week experience with AAP, students gain a deep understanding of archaeological theory and field research, including most recent approaches to data collection and analysis. Their undertaking of independent research, sometimes on artifacts brought to light by themselves, with the aim of publication, gives them confidence in their abilities to work as scientists, and accomplish set goals. This mentally and physically demanding program prepares students for productive careers in archaeology or related fields, or for that matter, in whatever other career they ultimately pursue.Broader Impacts: AAP's broader impact to society is manifest in many ways. Through site tours, 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. AAP's impact is further manifested by the recent conversion of portions of the archaeological site into an archaeological park and the paving of the road signs and all leading to it. Moreover, 2009 saw the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Municipal Museum at Athienou which houses scores of artifacts unearthed by AAP (http://www.athienoumuseum.org.cy/). Like AAP, the Museum has primarily educational objectives, as attested by visits of thousands of school children in the short time since its inauguration, and is a source of great pride among the locals. The cross-cultural interaction between the local population and AAP staff and students helps forge lasting friendships and bridges of understanding between Cyprus and the US.International Component: The NSF Office of International Science and Engineering has co-funded this award.