New Program! All new programs for summer 2026 are currently under review by IFR’s Academic Board. We anticipate offering this program, but changes may be made during the review process.
Overview
Play a part in uncovering the story of Idalion, one of the most influential city-kingdoms of ancient Cyprus and a major player in the Bronze and Iron Age copper trade across the eastern Mediterranean. Located in the village of Dhali, just 20 minutes from the capital Nicosia, this archaeology field school offers students the opportunity to excavate at an expansive ancient urban center that thrived for nearly three millennia.
Training alongside experienced archaeologists and digital specialists, you’ll develop hands-on skills in excavation, artifact processing, and cutting-edge digital tools. This season’s work focuses on unearthing the architectural continuity between the city sanctuary and the city’s east acropolis, both in use for over a thousand years.
You’ll also engage in real-time digital documentation while contributing to the digitization of decades of legacy excavation data. Join a long-standing excavation project on the scenic island of Cyprus during the summer 2026 field season and help shape what we know about one of the ancient Mediterranean’s most dynamic urban centers.
Field school highlights:
- Uncover urban life and sacred spaces in one of the ancient Mediterranean’s most powerful city-kingdoms.
- Develop essential field skills while learning how to use in-demand tools like GIS, photogrammetry, and 3D modeling.
- Make the most of your summer research program with weekly field trips to ancient sites and museums across Cyprus.
| Course Details | |
|---|---|
| Course Dates | June 1 – July 1, 2026 |
| Course Type | Excavation, Digital archaeology |
| Instructors | Dr. Pamela Gaber, Andrew M. Wright, Valerie Woelfel, Jacob Kupperman |
| Credits* | 8 semester (12 quarter) – anticipated |
| Apply By | March 1 |
| Fees Due By | April 15 |
| Program Fees | (2026) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $4,750 |
| Transcript Fee* | $350 |
| Health & Evacuation Insurance | $135 |
| Room & Partial Board | $1,530 |
| TOTAL: | $6,765 |
*Please email admissions@ifrglobal.org for any application issues.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until program fills or final deadline passes.
Instructors
The directors welcome emails and inquiries about the research elements of this project. More general information (tuition, health insurance, and payment schedule) can be found under the ‘Students’ tab above. Any further questions may be addressed to IFR staff. Additional details about research, course schedule, travel, accommodation, and safety can be found on the syllabus. Contacting the directors or the IFR office is encouraged and appreciated. It may help you determine if this field school is a good fit for you.
Testimonials
This is a new IFR field school. No student testimonials are available at this time.
Payment & Student Fees
Application Fee: There is a $45 fee to submit an online application.
Deposit Payment: A nonrefundable $500 deposit is due within 3 weeks of program acceptance in order to secure your place. The remainder of your program fees are due by the deadline indicated under “Course Details”.
*Transcript Fee & Academic Credit Opt Out: If you wish to participate in an IFR field school without earning academic credits, you will not be charged a transcript fee.
For more information about payment, fees, and policies, please see details under our Payment & Finances and Withdrawal and Cancellation Policy pages.
Accommodations
You’ll stay in a communal house with shared bedrooms and common spaces for both living and processing finds from the site. Bedrooms will be shared with 1-2 students depending on size.
Meals: Meals on field days (Mon-Fri) will be provided by the program, with students assisting staff in the meal preparation. You will be responsible for your own meals Sat-Sun and can opt to prepare food at the house or visit a local restaurant. This program can accommodate most special diets and allergies.
Travel Info
Natural disasters, political changes, weather conditions and various other factors may force the cancellation or alteration of a field school. IFR recommends students only purchase airline tickets that are fully refundable and consider travel insurance in case a program or travel plans must change for any reason.
General information for this program is below, but keep in mind we will discuss any updated travel information and regulations during the required program orientation, which could affect travel plans.
You will fly into Cyprus’s main international airport, Larnaka (LCA) and then navigate to town of Dali via shuttle or taxi, about 30 minutes away. Program staff will meet participants directly in Dali on the program start date – a specific meeting place will be communicated during orientation, and students may choose to coordinate with each other to travel from the airport to site. (Please note: due to differences in language and alphabet, you may see alternate spellings of locations in Cyprus, such as Larnaca/Larnaka and Dali/Dhali)