The field school is open to anyone with interests in the field of underwater archaeology and who holds a SCUBA Open Water Certificate issued by any worldwide recognized training organization. The project will introduce students to underwater/maritime archaeology and specialized techniques for research, recording, conservation and monitoring through: 
Participation in the following research projects: 
Survey, excavation and documentation of submerged fortification walls of the ancient (Thracian, Ancient Greek & Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Medieval Bulgarian) city of Mesambria, present day Nessebar, UNESCO World Heritage Site 
Marine geophysical survey of submerged landscapes along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast 
Survey and documentation of ship graffiti in Medieval churches in Nessebar. 
Training and instructions in underwater excavation, photography, photogrammetry, marine geophysics, remote sensing, and conservation of finds from marine environment
Lectures on archaeological, historical, environmental and institutional context of the research projects   
Sites visits and excursions to historical and archaeological sites along the western Black Sea Coast, Bulgaria. 

Project venue: Participants and staff stay in a family hotel located in the historical downtown of Nessebar, on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. Accommodation is in shared double and triple bedrooms with a/c, wifi, bathroom with WC, etc.


Partners in this project: The field school is organized by the Balkan Heritage Foundation (BHF) in collaboration with the National Center for Underwater Archaeology (CUA), Bulgaria, the Institute for Field Research, USA and the New Bulgarian University, Bulgaria.

Academic credits available: Students who study in Europe can receive 9 ECTS credits through New Bulgarian University, Bulgaria. Students who study outside Europe can obtain 8 semester credit units (equivalent to 12 quarter units) through IFR’s academic partner Connecticut College. See more details below. 

Number of field school places available: 8

Field school director: Dr. Nayden Prahov, Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Archaeology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Program Director at Balkan Heritage Foundation.