The Roman Society is offering students an opportunity to participate in the Naxos Quarry Project (NQP), an interdisciplinary and internationally collaborative archaeological project of Cycladic Ephorate of Antiquities, co-directed with scholars at University of London and the University of Cambridge.
The Project:
The Naxos Quarry Project explores how natural resources on the Cycladic island of Naxos affected widespread architectural and artistic developments throughout the Archaic Greek world. Between 2023 and 2025, NQP conducted the first comprehensive study of the island’s ancient marble quarries at Melanes and Apollonas and their larger landscapes. Fieldwork integrated the results of drone lidar analysis, pedestrian survey, sculptural and architectural study, ecological modeling, ceramic analysis, and geochemical sampling. This research demonstrated the interconnectivity of quarry areas, charting their continued use through time, and clarifying the impact of extractive processes on sculptural and architectural products. Beginning in 2026, NQP shifted its focus from the island’s marble quarries to their outputs, tracing the complete chain of production for monumental Naxian sculpture and architecture.
In 2027, NQP will undertake new interdisciplinary fieldwork focused on the islet of Palatia, located just off the coast of Chora, the main town and port of Naxos. Palatia is best known for the presence of the “Portara,” an unfinished temple dating to the end of the 6th c. BCE, recognizable from its standing colossal western doorway in white Naxian marble. Despite temple’s status as one of the most well-known monuments in the Cyclades, the larger islet has been the focus of little dedicated study. Fieldwork in 2026 demonstrated that Palatia was home to diachronic occupation – including substantial evidence of Roman and Late Antique settlement. Fieldwork in 2027 will thus include systematic interdisciplinary documentation and analysis of both the “Portara” and the islet of Palatia, situating the temple within the early development of Ionic architecture in the Aegean, and the islet as an important node within settlement patterns, resource use, and movement on Naxos and the wider Aegean world.
The Opportunity: For two weeks in April and two weeks in June 2027, the Naxos Quarry Project will continue their study with a team from a range of nationalities and universities along with visiting specialists. Student participants will be introduced to architectural documentation and study. Students may additionally gain supervised experience in selected specialist work (e.g., object analysis, digital recording, geoarchaeological study). Participants may have the potential to participate in scientific stratigraphic excavation and recording. We especially welcome applications from students interested in the Roman and Late Antique transformations of Greek monuments and landscapes.
Season dates: The successful applicant will be able to join the project for two weeks, either in mid-April (ca April 10-24, exact dates tbd) or June 2027 (ca June 12-26, exact dates tbd). Participants should be able to attend the full length of the April or June study period; preference will be given to applicants who can attend either fieldwork period.
Bursary: The Roman Society is offering one bursary of £1000. This bursary will subsidize the costs of participating in the project (such as travel), and the project will cover remaining costs associated with accommodation (space in shared student accommodation) and meals. The successful candidate may liaise with the project Directors as to the exact timing of the two-week placement and travel arrangements.
Eligibility: All final year Undergraduates, Masters and PhD/DPhil students registered at a UK university are eligible to apply. Coursework in classical archaeology, proficiency in modern and/or ancient Greek, GIS, and archaeological illustration will be an advantage but are not necessary. We welcome applications from students who have not yet had the opportunity to gain fieldwork experience.
How to Apply: Candidates should apply by letter setting out their reasons for wishing to undertake this placement, how participation would contribute to their study and interests, and outlining any previous experience. You should also provide the name and email address of a referee. Letters of application should be addressed to the Secretary, Dr Fiona Haarer, and sent by email by 15 January 2027 to: office@romansociety.org
Report: After the placement, the successful candidate will be expected to provide a report which will be published on the Roman Society website.
You can read previous reports here:
Adam Bracchi (2023 placement holder): report.
Gabrielle Hill-Smith (2024 placement holder): report.
Natasha-Chloe Garratt (2025 placement holder): report.
Arin Edwards (2026 placement holder): report.