Call for applications: Texts and Their Landscape: International Winter School in the Papyrology and Archaeology of the Fayum, 8–16 February, 2025

We are opening a call for applications to Texts and Their Landscape: International Winter School in the Papyrology and Archaeology of the Fayum, which will be held on 8–16 February 2025

Hosted by the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, Cairo, with funding provided by the IDUB program of the University of Warsaw

 This winter school, held in the Fayum, will provide an introduction to the region in the Ptolemaic, Roman, and Byzantine periods through a study of the archaeological context of papyrological texts. Seminars, lectures, and participant presentations will focus on the Fayum as an ancient landscape and illuminate the textual evidence from the ancient villages, while site tours will introduce students to the settlements themselves.

We welcome applications from graduate students and early career scholars in Greek, Demotic, and/or Arabic Papyrology. We will also consider applications from students of archaeology and other fields, as long as they have research interests in ancient texts. A solid command of Ancient Greek is a requirement for all applicants. Preference will be given to applicants who have not visited the Fayum.

The school is free, but participants are expected to cover their travel expenses to and from Cairo. The number of places is limited to 10–12. The language of instruction is English.

The arrival date is 8 February, and the departure is on 16 February.

Applications should contain:

1. a short motivation letter
2. curriculum vitae
3. two references: names and email addresses of instructors or advisors

Applications and queries should be sent to:

Prof. Maria Nowak (Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw) m.nowak@wpia.uw.edu.pl

The deadline for the submission of applications is 1 November, 2024. Successful applicants will be informed by the middle of November.

Organizers

Graham Claytor, University of Warsaw

Dorota Dzierzbicka, University of Warsaw

Maria Nowak, University of Warsaw

Haytham Qandeil, Ain Shams University

Cornelia Römer, DAI Cairo/University of Vienna

Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw (PCMA UW) coordinates Polish archaeological research in the Eastern Mediterranean since 1959 . In recent years, it broadened its scope of interest into the Arabian Peninsula and the Caucasus. Currently about 20 projects are ongoing in Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Cyprus, Lebanon, Kuwait, Oman, Georgia and Armenia. The PCMA UW also runs Research Centres in Egypt, Sudan, Cyprus and Georgia.