Fieldwork Experience for Master 1 Students in Saint-Amand-de-Coly

Over the course of three weeks, the students were immersed in the daily activities of an archaeological operation conducted around the former abbey church and the remains of the fortified enclosure of the Augustinian abbey of Saint-Amand-de-Coly. The excavation was conducted under the scientific supervision of Pierre-Marie Blanc, Research Engineer at the CNRS, with the support of the archaeological team, notably Camille Hilaire, who accompanied the students throughout the fieldwork and post-excavation activities.

This experience enabled them to become familiar with the different stages of an archaeological operation, from field excavation to post-excavation work. In particular, the students took part in manual stripping, stratigraphic excavation, sieving, removal of excavated soil, surveying and the study of standing remains, in accordance with the activities planned as part of the internship.

In the afternoons, depending on the needs of the excavation, the students worked on post-excavation activities, including washing and sorting archaeological finds, digital recording, drawing, photography and data processing. This combination of fieldwork and post-excavation work allowed them to gain a better understanding of the entire process involved in handling and processing archaeological data.

Under the guidance of the archaeological team, the students were able to put their fieldwork skills into practice and further develop them, while discovering the recording and documentation methods specific to an archaeological operation in France. They were encouraged to observe the methods used, take note of new techniques, document their activities, and participate in both fieldwork and post-excavation operations.

The excavation also provided an opportunity to raise students’ awareness of the links between archaeological research, the conservation of built heritage and heritage interpretation. Collaboration with the Club du Vieux Manoir, an association specialising in the restoration of historic monuments, gave them the opportunity to observe the initial stabilisation work carried out on the masonry structures uncovered during the excavation.

This immersion in France represents an important stage in their training. It enables them to compare their archaeological experience acquired in other contexts with French fieldwork practices, become familiar with the different dimensions of the archaeological profession, and develop their technical, methodological and documentation skills.

The Jaussen & Savignac Programme therefore provides training that closely combines theoretical teaching, professional experience and the acquisition of technical skills. The first year of the Master’s programme includes a mandatory three-week fieldwork internship, equivalent to 105 hours, during which students take part in the different stages of an archaeological operation.