Sicily and the Sea

Situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily has for millennia represented a cultural crossroads and hub for the movement of peoples, objects, and ideas. Much of the island's history is reflected in sites and artifacts of maritime life: ancient ports and shipwrecked cargos; traditions and tools of marine resource exploitation; and boats that moved sailors, traders, warriors, fishermen, and displaced peoples across the ages. This course focuses on theoretical and practical engagement with the field, laboratory, and digital methods used by archaeologists to record and understand Sicily's deep cultural heritage along and under the sea. It aims to prepare students for maritime archaeological work and is a prerequisite for participation in the overseas summer field school in Sicily.