At an archaeological site in Central Italy, Illinois State University student Sarah Schroeder discovered something profound about herself.
“I knew I wanted to go into some aspect of museum work, but I wasn’t sure how to narrow it down,” said Schroeder, a junior anthropology and art history double-major. “During the trip, I realized that conservation is exactly what I want to do.”
Schroeder was one of seven Illinois State students who traveled to Italy in mid-May to participate in the Valle Gianni Field School. During the four-week program, Schroeder and her colleagues gained hands-on experience excavating and surveying Valle Gianni, an archaeological site dating back more than 2,500 years.
Professor of Art History Dr. Lea Cline and Associate Professor of History Dr. Kathryn Jasper lead the Northwest Bolsena Archaeological Project at Valle Gianni, which contains the remains of a monumental fountain, evidence of a wine production site, and a potential villa structure.
In 2023, the research team received a two-year, $200,000 award through the Office of Research and Graduate Studies’ Advancing Research and Creative Scholarship (ARCS) program.
“I happened to be talking to Dr. Cline about a class she offers in art history, and I mentioned my interest in going on the trip,” Schroeder recalled. “She told me a spot had just opened that morning. It all happened very quickly.”
Although Schroeder doesn’t envision herself becoming an archeologist, she was eager to experience field work. “It was very exciting,” she said.
A typical day on site began early, with the group leaving to begin excavation by 7:30 a.m.
“We would work on uncovering our trenches, digging, or doing whatever was needed that day,” Schroeder said. “It was definitely very physically taxing. I wasn’t used to that much work every single day.”
While on the site, students learned history of the region along with techniques for archaeological excavation, materials processing, archaeological survey, GIS and mapping, and scientific data recording.
After several hours each day at Valle Gianni, the students’ evenings were free for sightseeing and socializing, offering a balance of work and leisure.
“The project was very influential in my career,” Schroeder said. “I had the chance to talk to a bunch of professionals and meet art conservators who were doing lab work. They gave us a presentation on their jobs and how to pursue a career in conservation.”
This experience provided Schroeder a life-changing opportunity by introducing her to the conservation field.
Back on campus, she remains involved with the project while pursuing her growing passion for art history.
“Dr. Cline contacted me after the trip with a data entry job, manually logging pottery pieces we found into a database,” Schroeder said.
This experience allows her to apply what she learned on the trip and stay engaged with the field. She also remains connected with people she met in Italy.
“I have a lot of friends all over the country now,” Schroeder said. “I really felt like I was able to connect with everyone on the trip, and the camaraderie and professional connections made during the trip were among the most valuable outcomes.”
While the field work could be grueling, with temperatures ranging from chilly mornings to sweltering afternoons, Schroeder found the balance between work and exploration satisfying.
“Even though we were there to work, we had time to visit Rome (about two hours away) and experience the country,” Schroeder said. “I was very happy that I didn’t feel like I was only working.”
Applications for the 2025 Valle Gianni Field School will be due in early 2025.