THE SITE
The training course will take place at the Cucuteni–Cetățuia archaeological site, located in Iași County in north-eastern Romania. Situated on a prominent elevated plateau overlooking the surrounding landscape, the settlement area is today commonly referred to as the Cucuteni Hillfort, reflecting both its topographical character and its defensive archaeological features. The site represents the eponymous settlement of the Chalcolithic Cucuteni culture, one of the most remarkable prehistoric civilisations of Copper Age in Europe. Discovered in 1884, Cucuteni Hillfort gained international recognition as the archaeological reference point that gave its name to what is now known as the Cucuteni–Trypillia culture.
This prehistoric culture, flourishing during the fifth and fourth millennia BCE, is particularly renowned for its highly developed ceramic traditions, characterised by elaborately painted pottery with complex geometric motifs. The Cucuteni–Trypillia civilisation is also associated with large, structured settlements that demonstrate advanced spatial organisation and sophisticated craft production for its time.
The Cucuteni Hillfort holds a central position in European prehistoric research. Its archaeological remains contribute to the understanding of early sedentary communities, technological innovation, social organisation, and symbolic expression during the transition from Neolithic to Chalcolithic societies.
Despite its importance within archaeological scholarship, this heritage remains comparatively under-recognised outside academic and specialist circles. The site therefore offers an important opportunity to connect scientific research with broader public awareness, situating prehistoric European heritage within a contemporary framework of interdisciplinary investigation and international engagement.
The site is researched by the Arheoinvest Center, part of the Interdisciplinary Research Department and the Faculty of History at “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași. Founded in 2006, Arheoinvest integrates expertise from archaeology, history, archaeometry, anthropology, geography, biology, archaeophysics, and heritage conservation. Through its structured laboratory system which includes theoretical and applied archaeology, bioarchaeology, geoarchaeology, archaeophysics, and scientific investigation and conservation of cultural heritage assets, the Arheoinvest Centre applies advanced interdisciplinary methodologies and state-of-the-art equipment to the investigation of past societies.
The research infrastructure of “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași ensures that archaeological work at Cucuteni Hillfort is conducted according to rigorous academic and methodological standards, combining field excavation, laboratory analysis, non-invasive survey techniques, and interdisciplinary data interpretation.
THE TRAINING COURSE
The European Heritage Training Course at Cucuteni Hillfort is conceived as a field-based programme centred on systematic archaeological excavation, artefact processing, and technical training in documentation and recording methodologies, potentially complemented by practical demonstrations of prehistoric technologies where appropriate. It is designed to connect academic research with applied learning, enabling participants to engage directly with the scientific investigation of one of Europe’s most important Chalcolithic settlements.
The core component of the training course will consist of stratigraphic excavation within the perimeter of the Cucuteni Hillfort site. Under academic supervision, the participants will be introduced to basic excavation methodologies, including trowelling techniques, identification of soil changes, recognition of archaeological features, and primary spatial recording of finds. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the importance of stratigraphy and context in archaeological research.
Complementing the excavation work, the participants will engage in artefact processing and primary documentation. Ceramic fragments, lithic material, and osteological remains will be cleaned, sorted, labelled, and recorded according to established professional standards. Participants will learn how to complete archaeological context sheets and contribute to structured documentation processes used in academic fieldwork.
The programme may include practical demonstrations related to prehistoric technologies and ceramic traditions where appropriate, offering participants insight into material properties and historical craft techniques connected to the Cucuteni culture.
Technical training will include instruction in archaeological drawing and an introduction to non-invasive investigation methods. Participants will practice scale drawing of profiles and plan views and receive an overview of magnetometer survey techniques used to investigate archaeological structures without excavation.
Field activities may also include guided surface surveys in the surrounding area to provide a broader understanding of the archaeological landscape.
The training course is embedded within the academic and institutional framework of “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași. All activities will be supervised by senior archaeologists and researchers affiliated with the Arheoinvest Center and the Faculty of History, whose expertise includes archaeogeophysics, remote sensing, GIS-based spatial analysis, prehistoric archaeology, public archaeology, and landscape archaeology. The programme is informed by university-level field methodologies, ensuring that participants are introduced to scientifically grounded and professionally relevant practices.
The educational programme will also address the relationship between archaeological research and public heritage awareness. Discussions will explore how prehistoric heritage is interpreted, communicated, and integrated into contemporary cultural discourse. Particular attention will be given to the ethical responsibilities of archaeological research, including documentation standards, site protection, and the responsible handling of artefacts.
An integral element of the educational programme will be the participants’ presentations. Each participant is required to prepare and deliver a presentation related to the thematic focus of the activities on site, introducing a case study from their country of origin. This component connects the practical work undertaken during the programme with comparable heritage practices in different cultural and institutional contexts. Through this structured exchange, participants reflect on conservation approaches, management frameworks, and current challenges, contributing to a broader comparative understanding of heritage preservation. The presentations are intended to encourage critical dialogue, intercultural exchange, and the articulation of informed professional perspectives within an international group of emerging heritage practitioners.
The training course will take place from August 30th to September 12th, 2026, and is organised by European Heritage Volunteers, the Arheoinvest Center, part of the Interdisciplinary Research Department and the Faculty of History of “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași.
