Overview
This is an intensive program designed to teach students how to conduct intensive physical and chemical analysis of ethnographic and archaeological metal objects. The program will introduce students to multiple analytical techniques and instruments, including Optical Microscopy (OM), X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (pXRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDS), IR spectroscopy and Statistical analysis, dating techniques, petrography, elemental analysis, SEM, X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD), IR spectroscopy and 3D Scanning.
This program is for students who may seek careers in conservation or archaeology. The large range of methods and technologies presented are important tools for the study, analysis, and interpretation of archaeological, metal artifacts. Graduating students may not be experts in all the techniques presented but will get comprehensive understanding of the ways these techniques may be deployed in research and enhance our ability to understand and interpret material culture.
The program is hosted by the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN) at the National Centre for Scientific Research ˊDemokritosˋ in Greece. During the program, students will work with ethnographic and archaeological artifacts from the collection of Demokritos.
2026 Greece Athens Metal-Carousel (1)
Preparing a metal object for analysis
2026 Greece Athens Metal-Carousel (3)
Dr. Panagopoulou and students
2026 Greece Athens Metal-Carousel (4)
Learning typology of archaeological objects
2026 Greece Athens Metal-Carousel (5)
Dr. Panagopoulou using instruments in the lab
2026 Greece Athens General-Carousel (2)
Visiting the National Archaeology Museum in Athens
2026 Greece Athens General-Carousel (1)
2025 student cohort
2026 Greece Athens Ceramics-Carousel (2)
Students learning to use a microscope
2026 Greece Athens Ceramics-Carousel (4)
Learning to use Xray Detector
2026 Greece Athens Metal-Carousel (2)
Examining a metal object
Instructor(s)
All field school directors are experts in their field and passionate about their work. To discuss the suitability of this program for your career goals – whether within or outside academia – you are invited to contact the directors directly. For a broader discussion which ARC program to choose, you are welcome to contact our staff directly – you can do that through our “Contact Us” page.
Testimonials & Program evaluation
Student Fees (Tuition)
What is Covered
- DEPOSIT IS PART OF TOTAL TUITION COST
- Costs of Instruction
- Cost of Academic Credit Units
- Health Insurance
- Full Room & Board
- Liability & Accident Insurance
Read Before You Pay
- Application: You must apply online for this program – application is free
- Deposit: A $300 nonrefundable deposit (part of the total tuition cost) is required to secure a space in the program
- Credit Card Fee: Payments with credits cards incur 3% processing fee
- Late Fee: A $100 Late Fee will be added to the program costs if tuition is not paid in full by payment deadline
- Cancellation Policy: Carefully read our Cancellation Policy before committing to attending our programs
- Trip Cancellation Insurance: Trip cancellation insurance is not provided by ARC. Such policies have changed due to Covid 19. If you wish to purchase an insurance policy that covers pandemic contingencies, explore Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) plans. Insuremytrip or Travel Guard are possible websites where you may explore different insurance policies.
Accommodations
This program does not provide accommodation or meals. Athens is a major tourist destination with many hotels for all price ranges, Airbnb’s, and plenty of excellent, affordable restaurants. Athens’ public transportation is excellent, connecting the city with an efficient & affordable metro and bus system.
Diet
This program does not provide accommodation or meals. Athens is a major tourist destination with many hotels for all price ranges, Airbnb’s, and plenty of excellent, affordable restaurants. Athens’ public transportation is excellent, connecting the city with an efficient & affordable metro and bus system.
Travel Information
The meeting point is at 8:00 am at the entrance to the Demokritos Institute on the first day of the program. Students may get to the institute by taking the metro and getting off the Nomismatokopio station or taking bus lines B5, 407 or 406 towards Agia Paraskevi. Get off at the 4th stop of Agia Paraskevi/ “Demokritos”
Visa Information
There are no visa requirements for U.S. citizen travelling to Bulgaria, if they do not stay longer than 3 months. Passport’s expiration date should exceed the stay by at least 3 months.
Citizens of other countries are asked to check the Bulgarian Embassy website page at their home country for specific visa requirements.
Meeting Point
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 22, 2026 | 8:00am | Entrance to the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology ˊDemokritosˋ |
If you missed your connection or your flight is delayed, please call, text or email project director(s) immediately. A local emergency cell phone number will be provided to all enrolled students.
Safety
Our primary mission is student education. Traveling and conducting field work involves risk and students interested in participating in any field schools must weigh whether the potential risk is worth the value of education earned. While risk is inherent in everything we do, we do not take risk lightly. We engage in intensive review of each field school location prior to approval and continue to monitor conditions on the ground to ensure a safe and wholesome education experience.
Students attending our international programs are covered by a comprehensive Health Insurance Policy that covers physical illness or injury, mental or chronic conditions and medical evacuation – if needed. This insurance policy has no deductibles and 100% of the costs are covered up to $250,000 (for more, see here). In addition, we provide Political & Natural Disaster Evacuation policy, which allows us to remove students from program location if conditions change.
Students attending our domestic programs (within the US) must have their own health insurance. Program directors are familiar with local authorities and if in need of evacuation, local emergency services and/or law enforcement will be notified and activated.
We have an explicit and robust Harassment & Discrimination Policy, outlined on our Health & Safety page. If students feel they cannot discuss personal safety issues with program staff, they are welcome to call the ARC emergency hotline and talk directly with an ARC staff member.
Call (+1 323 740-1805) or email (admin@anthroctr.org) if you have questions about the safety of any program.