opportunities for students
Excavations at the Plutonium/Inferi of Hadrian's Villa
We are looking for a maximum of 4 graduate students to join excavations at Hadrian’s Villa from July 5-25 2026. Built by Emperor Hadrian in the countryside of Rome, Hadrian’s Villa is the most important Roman imperial villa. It is exceptional both in size (originally ca. 120 hectares) and the quality and variety of its structures, which draw on the artistic and architectural heritage of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The site, known since the Renaissance, has yielded hundreds of statues and other artefacts of unique value and importance, and has inspired generations of architects and artists, from Palladio and Piranesi to Le Corbusier. Since 1999 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site
The mission, a collaboration between the University of Pavia (directed by Maria Elena Gorrini), the University of Oxford (Milena Melfi) and the University of Palermo (Gilberto Montali), will take place in the area of the Villa traditionally interpreted as a reproduction of the Underworld. The site consists of 1) the Inferi (a Grotto/Nymphaeum connected to an artificial river) seen from the 17th century as a reproduction of the river Styx leading to the land of the dead; 2) the Plutonium or Temple of Pluto/Hades, Lord of the Underworld (a large building on high podium known from the first travelers’ accounts); 3) a series of underground passages and tunnels connecting the two structures.
Both excavation and post-excavation work will take place in the grounds of the Villa. Room and board will be provided near the site, but we cannot reimburse travel expenses. You must have completed the mandatory health and safety requirements requested by Pavia University in order to apply. Secondly, preference will be given to those who already have archaeological field experience, preferably on Roman sites, can use a Total Station and are familiar with GIS. Please fill out the form here if you are interested in participating.