Maurizio Forte, William and Sue Gross Professor of Classical Studies and Visual Studies, is a pioneer in the field of digital and virtual archaeology with research projects in Italy, China, Ethiopia, Mexico, Egypt, Peru, the United States, and Greece. In collaboration with Stefano Campana, Director of the Lapetlab of the University of Siena and Grosseto, Professor Forte has founded the “From Space to Place” initiative, an international itinerant conference on remote sensing in archaeology, which is scheduled every 2 years since 2004 in different locations—and in 2014 it will be organized at Duke.

Taking early advantage of the attention that will be forthcoming around bringing digital tools to this ancient field of study, Humanities Writ Large is partnering with Duke Global Education for Undergraduates to launch the inaugural Duke in Tuscany 2014 summer program.

Professors Forte and Campana are joining forces with Sonia Silvestri, Research Scientist at Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment, whose primary research activity is the use of remote sensors and the analysis of the data collected using different sensors and platforms, which will be a key component of the proximal sensing work to detect and study the Vulci archeological site.

Duke in Tuscany will offer both coursework and fieldwork on digital landscape archaeology specifically designed as an experiential learning activity for undergraduate students in different disciplines. The faculty seek to enroll students interested in disciplines including archaeology, anthropology, computer science, and environmental studies, among others.

Because multidisciplinary research and training are core parts of the Duke vision of collaboration between the humanities and the sciences, this program is designed to contribute to those activities by providing students with a hands-on, immersive fieldwork experience making excellent use of advanced digital and remote sensing technologies.

The first week will be at Certosa and will consist of lectures and laboratory/computer and technology work. The first week is designed as a preparatory week for the remaining three weeks when students will be involved in fieldwork and museum activities in Vulci.