I always wanted to be an archaeologist | Summer School course

This course examines the world and role of the Archaeologist in the study of ancient and contemporary history. Our small group will explore in tutorial environment the influences of Archaeology beyond the walls of the museum.

From A$3,200AUD

Available
I always wanted to be an archaeologist | Summer School course itinerary

Departure Dates

Departure Date Price
21 January 2024

Ends 27 January 2024

A$3,200 Twin

A$3,700 Single

Available
Selected

I always wanted to be an Archaeologist

An often-passed comment, when someone first hears that you are an archaeologist is ‘I always wanted to be an archaeologist’. There seems to be, for many, a mystery and/or a romance surrounding this quite uncommon profession. Perhaps the best-known ‘archaeologist’ is the intrepid Indy Jones who blazed across our cinema screens first in 1981, by coincidence the same year that I began excavations in the Middle East. Now although not as fraught with danger as the Hollywood epics would have us believe, being an archaeologist does indeed lend itself to adventures, amazing discoveries and living a ‘dream’. So if you are one of those people who ‘always wanted to be an archaeologist, join this course for a journey through all things archaeological.

Archaeology is a science and the approach to both its theory and practice has undergone many, many alterations over the years. However, having said this, much of the central themes remain static, held in place not only by an interest in what has gone before but also by a curiosity of how the past has shaped our present.

This summer programme, offered for the first time by Odyssey will;

  • explore certain of the long-held theories of archaeology
  • look at various approaches to the uncovering of past cultures.
  • provide an appreciation of the role of Archaeology, but not equip the class attendees with the necessary knowledge and tools to head out and start your very own excavation,
  • be able to view particular aspects of our past from a number of different, and perhaps illuminating perspectives.

Various themes will be explored within a fluid classroom context such as;

  • excavation techniques,
  • ceramic and stone implement identification,
  • preservation
  • and restoration.

Underwater and maritime archaeology is also to be included while ethno-archaeology and its application will also be touched upon, looking at such things as the symbolism used in weaving from Anatolia (Turkey).

The majority of topics presented and examined in the programme will be illustrated by reference to actual excavations from;

  • Israel,
  • Turkey,
  • Jordan,
  • Portugal,
  • Greece
  • and Germany.

The focus of the short 5 day program is to be informative and entertaining. Within a tutorial-type discussion around particular chosen themes as well as providing certain group-orientated activities.

Summer School classes for mature and senior travellers

Odyssey offers a collection of week-long learning programs offered each January in Leura, Bue Mountains, NSW. Courses are refreshed for each year’s programs. Classes are limited to 15 people.

Over the last twenty-five years, Odyssey’s small group Summer School Program has given countless travellers an unforgettable educational and travel experience. Each summer, we prepare and offer fun and challenging special interest courses and programs designed to give travellers the options and opportunity to learn about history, religion, Australian culture, and the arts, among many other topics. These courses are designed in such a way that enthusiasts can deepen their knowledge of a particular topic or be initiated into new understandings on a subject.

These programs offered are tailor-made for mature-aged and senior travellers who are eager to explore in-depth a particular topic. Summer school learning programs for mature and senior travellers who are and remain curious about the world. Read more about our philosophy of the Odyssey Summer Schools.

Itinerary

7 days

Day 1: Leura, Blue Mountains

Accommodation: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

The Summer school program begins with a welcome reception and dinner.

Day 2: Leura, Blue Mountains

Accommodation: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

The role of the Archaeologist.

Discussion and framework about the greats, the intriguing and the contribution beyond the museums.

An indicative day in the classroom/ tutorial is anticipated to cover discussion and short analysis and presentations as a group…

Day 3: Leura, Blue Mountains

Accommodation: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

Excavation techniques.

The majority of topics presented and examined in the programme will be illustrated by reference to actual excavations from;

  • Israel,
  • Turkey,
  • Jordan,
  • Portugal,
  • Greece
  • and Germany.

An indicative day in the classroom/ tutorial is anticipated to cover discussion and short analysis and presentations as a group…

Day 4: Leura, Blue Mountains

Accommodation: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

The transition for field to lab analysis and theories.

  • ceramic and stone implement identification,
  • preservation
  • and restoration.

An indicative day in the classroom/ tutorial is anticipated to cover discussion and short analysis and presentations as a group…

Day 5: Leura, Blue Mountains

Accommodation: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

Ethno-archaeology and its application.

Examining and discussing the symbolism used in weaving from Anatolia (Turkey) and the influence on Persia and rugs.

An indicative day in the classroom/ tutorial is anticipated to cover discussion and short analysis and presentations as a group…

Day 6: Leura, Blue Mountains

Accommodation: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

Underwater and maritime Archaeology.

Stories from the field and reflection on the week.

An indicative day in the classroom/ tutorial is anticipated to cover discussion and short analysis and presentations as a group…

Day 7: Leura, Blue Mountains

The course will end after breakfast.

Includes / Excludes

What’s included in our Tour

  • 6 nights in full en suite accommodation
  • 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 2 dinners.
  • Lectures and handouts as indicated.
  • Services of a study leader and lecturers.
  • Complimentary wifi.

What’s not included in our Tour

  • Comprehensive travel insurance.
  • Costs of a personal nature.
Level 1 - Introductory to Moderate

Participants must be able to carry their own luggage, climb and descend stairs, moderate walking on uneven surfaces between 3 - 5 kilometers per day. Suitable for most fitness levels

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Departure

21 January 2024

Available

Ends 27 January 2024 • 7 days

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Room Type

Single Traveller
A$3,700
Two Travellers
A$3,200 pp

By booking two travellers sharing a room you save $500 per person.

Payment Type

You can reserve your spot by paying a A$1,000 pp deposit, for full details please see our Terms & Conditions .

Pay Deposit
A$2,000
Pay Full
A$6,400

Prices are per person and valid until 30th December 2023.

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Make it a private tour

If you have a group of 6 friends or more you can book this tour as a private departure, with all the benefits of our small group tours.
Get in touch to find out more.

Easing your journey

Crossing international borders with restrictions

The list of requirements to travel internationally has changed and will continue to change for several years. Odyssey is here to assist you in managing your way through these requirements:

Pre-departure checklist for travelling across International borders.
Support over email or phone available 24/7 for any questions you have.

For more information see our Crossing international borders with restrictions page.

Book With Confidence

If less than 30 days before your tour starts you are unable to travel as a result of Government travel restrictions, Odyssey Traveller will assist you with a date change, provide you with a credit or process a refund for your booking less any non-recoverable costs.

See Terms and conditions for details.

Peace of Mind Travel

The safety of our travellers, tour leader, local guide and support staff has always been our top priority and with the new guidelines for public health and safety for keeping safe for destinations around the world, we’ve developed our plan to give you peace of mind when travelling with us.

See Peace of Mind Travel for details.

Reviews

The presenter delivered a very interesting program that was varied and covered all the topics in an engaging way. The restaurant met my dietary requirement (allergies) very well and the food was excellent. The actual program was excellent. Jenni S. Jan'21

FAQs

Where are Blue Mountains located?

The Blue Mountains, a mountainous region and a mountain range located in New South Wales, are located west of Sydney, less than an hour from Sydney either by train or car.

Why are the Blue Mountains blue?

The Blue Mountains is densely populated by oil-bearing Eucalyptus trees. The atmosphere is filled with finely dispersed droplets of oil, which, in combination with dust particles and water vapor, scatter short-wave length rays of light which are predominantly blue in colour.

How do you spend a day in the Blue Mountains?

Often rated among the best viewpoints in Australia, Echo Point provides travelers with an amazing vista of the iconic Three Sisters rock formation and Jamison Valley.

If you want to get to the base of Three Sisters, take the trail called the Giant Stairway, but we do not recommend it to anyone with knee problems, because there are more than 800 steps before you get to the floor of the valley.

You do not need to return the same way, but it is possible to get to the Echo Point via Federal Pass, Furber Steps and Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

If you have bad knees, you can instead take a Scenic Skyway cable car.

The cabins are made of glass, so you can get amazing views of the mountains from above, and another attraction is the world’s steepest passenger railway which will take you to the bottom of the valley, where a series of boardwalks will walk you through the native rainforest.

What animals live in the Blue Mountains?

Listed as a World Heritage Site, the Blue Mountains area covers around 11,400 square kilometres of land consisting of rugged mountains, canyons, cliffs, rock formations, and valleys.

Over a hundred and thirty species of bird live in the woodlands, grasslands, and swamps. Of the avian species, one hundred and twenty-three are native diurnal birds, seven nocturnal including four types of owl, and sixteen varieties of bat.

Of the mammals, there are two main varieties can be found in the region: six are arboreal and eleven terrestrial.

The arboreal species include the vulnerable squirrel gliders, sugar gliders, feathertail gliders, greater gliders, common ringtail possums, and common brushtail possums.

And the native ground mammals include one type of monotreme (platypus), three dasyurids, one bandicoot, three macropods, two rodents, and the endangered brush-tailed rock-wallaby.

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