Each summer, Grove City College students have the opportunity to participate in a major archeological conservation project in the Mediterranean region through the Archaeological Conservation Institute.
The institute, of which Grove City College is a founding member, is sponsored by the prestigious Centro di Conservazione Archaeologica headquartered in the Sabine Hills outside of Rome. The program prepares students for work in public history, museum studies, art conservation, and archeological field work. Through hands-on training, students apply scientific, technological knowledge, and problem-solving skills to the preservation of cultural heritage.
Faculty/student research and international service-learning projects, coordinated by Dr. Mark Graham, have enabled students to get their hands dirty with an international conservation team led by Roberto Nardi and Andreina Constanzi-Cobau, two of the world’s leading archeological conservators.
Over many summers, Grove City College students have helped to conserve and prepare for museum display the oldest known statues from the western Mediterranean and helped to reconstruct the marble opus sectile floor of a Roman villa in Alghero, Sardinia.
For the past few summers, students have excavated and conserved a villa near Rome which once belonged to a close friend of the emperor Hadrian. While excavating the villa, students have learned how to conserve its striking mosaic floors. The villa is located on the grounds of the golf course which hosted the 2022 Ryder Cup.
Students have also been contributing to projects in Ancient Corinth, including conserving one of the oldest known mosaic floors. They have also worked on a fresco conservation project for the Archeological Museum of Corinth.
“The trip to Sardinia was absolutely amazing! I learned so much about history, culture, media, relationships, and much more. It baffles me to think that the work we did will be on display in museums and that we have physically and literally touched history so that others may enjoy it and learn from it. I could not have asked for a more wonderful and exceptional experience or opportunity.”– Junior, Communications and French
“The trip was really special to me because it affirmed my decision to pursue archaeological conservation as a career. The most important thing … was the conversations I was able to have with experts in the field. I was able to pick the brains of four experts about which graduate programs are the best and about the types of internships I should pursue. Being a part of the process in finding the correct pieces, assembling the pieces in the right order, and assessing all the information on the statues was satisfying. Seeing and being included in every part of the conservation process was invaluable to my experience in Sardinia.”– Senior, History
“It was encouraging to see how interested Sardinians are in their local history. Every day numerous people went through the museum, many who were not from the Cabras area were fascinated by their own cultural heritage, something I wished more residents of my own area held an interest for.”– Sophomore, History
Contact Dr. Mark Graham for further information.