During this internship, interns will travel to the country of Armenia to join HKU’s active archaeological fieldwork. There, after learning about excavation during a course, the intern will complete a special project that combines technology and the study of the human past. This project will contribute to our understanding of ancient Armenia while helping improve the way archaeologists do their fieldwork.
Mission
The Ararat Plain Southeast Archaeological Project (APSAP) is studying past life and mobility in the Vedi River Valley of Armenia. This is a collaborative research project between the University of Hong Kong and the Armenian Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography. This project is supervised by HKU Prof Peter J. Cobb. Through archaeological fieldwork, including excavation, surface survey, and objects analysis, we are trying to better understand our shared human heritage.
Each summer, a team of international archaeologists, students, and volunteers, travels to Armenia to undertake fieldwork, usually in late May to late July. We live and work in the beautiful rural village of Urtsadzor, and we excavate the nearby 3000-year-old site of the Vedi Fortress.
The APSAP project is also advancing the application of many technologies to the archaeological process. We are experimenting with new ways of collecting digital data in the field and analyzing these data with technology.
Location: Vedi and Urtsadzor, Armenia, South Caucasus
Duration: 3 weeks
Working Hours: 5am to 3pm, weekdays
Job Openings: open to all
Job Description:
First, the student intern will need to complete the HKU course ARTH2110: Archaeology and Digital Humanities in the Field. This can be completed during the same summer as the internship or during a prior summer. Next, the intern will work closely with the APSAP team to develop a discrete project that can be completed over 3 additional working weeks in Armenia.
Possible example topics for projects include: Digital 3D modeling of ancient walls; Digital 3D modeling of ancient ceramics; Automating data collection in the field; Making a robotic arm help with data collection on ancient ceramics; Geographic Information Systems (GIS) spatial analysis of ancient settlement patterns; Virtual reality game development for education about archaeology; Augmented reality app development for local tourism
Responsibilities
- Complete an independent special project
- Participate fully in the teamwork
Preferred skills
- Enthusiasm for studying the human past
- Ability to work outdoors in challenging conditions
- Prior technical experience not required, but is helpful
- Reliability and ability to complete projects on-time
Application
Please email your CV and interest to Professor Peter J Cobb pcobb[at]hku.hk