Excavations – Faculty of Archaeology UW

Excavations training is an essential part of the Archaeology study programme. Participation is obligatory.
At BA level, the requirement is 450 hrs (ca. 3 months)
At MA level, the requirement is 150 hrs (ca. 1 month)

For information on the excavations contact either the Instructor or the Head of Archaeology (Studies in English).

BA_Excavation exercises_syllabus (PDF)

MA_Excavation exercises_syllabus (PDF)

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Excavations training – summer 2026

Polish-speaking students may register for all excavations. Foreign students should contact individual instructors for detailed information (not all instructors accept non-Polish speaking students).

The list of excavations for students (constantly updated)

SUMMER 2026

Itac and satellite stations. Mountain archaeology in the region of the Coropuna volcano, Chuquibamba–Arequipa, Peru

Supervisor: dr Maciej Sobczyk

Duration: 29th June to 14th August 2026 (The duration of participation in the research is to be agreed individually)

Number of places: 8 (last remaining spots)

Requirements: basic knowledge of Spanish, previous excavation experience.

Organizational meeting: March 30, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., in room 2.07A

Itac is one of the most interesting archaeological sites in southern Peru. It is a complex of spectacular pre-Hispanic architecture covering an area of over 300 hectares. The site is picturesquely located at an altitude of 3,350 meters above sea level, near the town of Chuquibamba, which ensures convenient logistics. The main base is located in the town, where we provide accommodation, meals, and daily transport to the site. After an acclimatization period, several-day trips to sites located in higher mountain areas are planned.

Contact: m.sobczyk@uw.edu.pl

Ciepłe, Gniew County, Pomeranian Voivodeship

Supervisors: Dr. Sławomir Wadyl, M.A. Weronika Bałdyga

Dates: June 28 – July 25, 2026

Number of places: 12 (last remaining spots)

Organizational meeting: May 7, 2026, 6:15 PM

Additional information: A complex of early medieval sites: hillforts, settlements, and a cemetery

Ciepłe is one of the key early medieval sites in Poland, which in recent years has completely changed our understanding of the development of the Piast state. At the same time, it is simply a great place to learn the craft of archaeology: hands-on research, real discoveries, and a good atmosphere.

Additional notes: Accommodation base in a school in Gniew; meals provided by CK Pizza Restaurant (partially subsidized)

Contact: s.wadyl@uw.edu.pl

Dudka, Wydminy, Giżycko County, Masuria.

Supervisors: dr Witold Gumiński, dr Karolina Bugajska

Dates: June 29 – July 25, 2026

Number of places: 10

Additional information: A Mesolithic and Para-Neolithic hunter-gatherer cemetery with highly diverse burial forms, as well as a Stone Age settlement site with rich peat stratigraphy and preserved bones.

Additional notes: A holiday cottage (Gościeniec Wydminy) by Lake Wydmińskie. 3 bedrooms (two with 3 beds each and one with 4 beds), 2 bathrooms, and a kitchenette in a shared living area. Barbecue facilities and a restaurant are available on-site.

The site is located 4 km from the accommodation, so it is advisable to bring a bicycle. There will be a tent-hangar at the site where participants can eat a second breakfast during breaks. There will also be a storage-office tent where inventory work will be conducted.

Travel and meals are at participants’ own expense. Wydminy can be reached by train. In addition to Gościeniec Wydminy, there are other restaurants and bars in Wydminy, as well as well-stocked shops, including a Biedronka supermarket.

Contact: w.guminski@uw.edu.pl

Zwoleń, Masovian Voivodeship

Supervisors: dr hab. Katarzyna Pyżewicz

Dates: June 29 – July 24, 2026

Number of places: 14 (no spots available)

Additional information: A site associated with Neanderthals activity in the area of Poland

Contact: k.pyzewicz@uw.edu.pl

More information in Polish you can find here

Contact: w.guminski@uw.edu.pl

Zaborów, Masovian Voivodeship

Supervisors: dr hab. Adam Cieśliński, mgr Marek Baczewski

Dates: July 27 – August 21, 2026

Number of places: 15

Organizational meeting: Early June; the exact date will be announced later.

Additional information: A complex of sites from the Pre-Roman and Roman periods (Jastorf and Przeworsk cultures) and the Early Middle Ages, including a cemetery and settlements associated with iron production.

Additional notes: Accommodation will be provided in a primary school, most likely in Leszno. Multi-person rooms will be available, and we provide beds, showers, a kitchen, sports fields, and — above all — the beautiful scenery of Kampinos National Park.

Contact: mgr Marek Baczewski (m.baczewski@uw.edu.pl)

More information in Polish you can find https://www.facebook.com/BadaniaArcheologiczneWZaborowie

Northern Mazovia – Zgliczyn Pobodzy, Żuromin County

Supervisors: dr Andrzej Szela

Dates: August 2–29

Number of places: 8

Additional information: The excavation focuses on a rich settlement and cemetery dating to the Roman Period and the Migration Period (1st–5th centuries CE).

Accommodation is provided in the town of Żuromin in 2–4 person rooms with private bathrooms. Participants have access to a kitchen and washing machine. There are convenient transport connections to Warsaw (approximately 150 km away), including private bus services, making weekend trips possible. Accommodation costs and daily transport to the excavation site are covered by the project director.

Contact: a.szela@uw.edu.pl