Join the Santuario Ritrovato Excavations at San Casciano: Applications

Excavation opportunity at the Santuario Ritrovato, San Casciano

The site known as the Santuario Ritrovato in San Casciano dei Bagni (SI) is opening its 2026 excavation campaign to students and trainees. Excavations are coordinated by the Università per Stranieri di Siena in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the local Superintendency, offering hands-on experience at a site that has produced exceptional finds and new insights into Etruscan–Roman relations.

Campaign schedule

• Session 1: 22 June – 10 July 2026
• Session 2: 13 July – 7 August 2026
• Session 3: 31 August – 18 September 2026
• Session 4: 21 September – 9 October 2026

Who can apply and how

Applications are open to undergraduate and postgraduate students (including PhD candidates) in archaeology-related fields. Applicants must submit the official form, a curriculum vitae and a recommendation/cover letter from a faculty member. Submit your application by email to the address specified in the project announcement; check the official notice for deadlines.

Significance of the site

The excavations have revealed a monumental complex centered on a travertine sacred pool, flanked by porticoes and columns, with occupational phases from the Etruscan through the Roman period. The anaerobic conditions inside the pool preserved an exceptional assemblage: numerous bronze votive offerings, inscribed altars, a large hoard of Roman coins and various intact small finds.

Key discoveries

• Bronze votive items, including anatomical ex-votos
• Figurines associated with health cults (likely representations of Hygieia)
• Coin deposits and inscribed altars
• Sculptural fragments such as a bull's head and travertine architectural elements

Field training and structure

Participants undertake stratigraphic excavation, field recording, cleaning and cataloguing of finds, and on-site practical lectures. The project combines municipal authorization with university scientific oversight, providing a structured environment to gain fieldwork experience.

Practical note: consult the official call for detailed eligibility criteria, possible fees and submission deadlines before applying.