Poland Bioarchaeology Field School at Żelewo

*You do not need to be a student at Cal Poly Humboldt to attend the field school*

The Medieval Bioarchaeology Field Program in Żelewo, Poland is a summer field school run jointly by faculty from Cal Poly Humboldt, the University of Szczecin in Poland, and Jagiellonian University in Poland, together with collaborators from other institutions in the US and Poland. It is conducted in collaboration with the In Situ Foundation in Poland. The field school emphasizes ethical practices, collaboration, and intensive practical training in field techniques and lab methodologies in archaeology and osteology. 

The field school takes place at the site of Żelewo 1-3, located the town of Żelewo (see map) in northwestern Poland, about 60 miles south of the Baltic Sea. The focus of the field school is the medieval cemetery that dates mostly to the 13th - 15th Century, but the site also contains at least one much older burial, and traces of occupation many thousands of years earlier. 

During the medieval period, the site was part of the region known as Pomerania. It was part of the estate of the Kołbacz Monastery, which was associated with the Cistercian Order. Goals of the project include mitigating site damage and participating in rebuilding the history of the region that has been lost to time and the destruction of records during and after WWII.

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This is an active research site, and students participate directly in the research. So far, approximately 90 burials have been revealed, mostly but not all consistent with Christian burial practices. We are just beginning to understand the broad context of the cemetery and its relationship to numerous surrounding features yet to be fully excavated. This site is expected to reveal numerous additional burials and other features, providing an excellent opportunity for real hands-on experience analyzing remains. 

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During the program, students work side-by-side with archaeologists and osteologists to locate and excavate burials – they learn field methods such as leveling, revealing grave shape, careful excavation, documentation, and recovering remains. In the lab, students gain skills in human osteology, including processing and handling remains, identifying whole and fragmentary elements from adults and nonadults, estimating aspects like age and stature, and examining remains for individualizing features and evidence of trauma and pathology. In both the field and lab, students learn traditional methods as well as how to use modern technologies and equipment. Practices also also include standard methods and protocols applicable to forensic anthropology. Students also experience Polish culture and history firsthand by interacting with the community and visiting historical sites such as castles and churches, while living in a country that has long been a crossroads of central Europe.

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COURSES/UNITS

• Students will have the option to earn 2-6 units through Cal Poly Humboldt by enrolling in either or both of the following during the program:
  • ANTH 485 Bioarchaeology at Żelewo, Poland (2 units)
  • ANTH 339 Bioarchaeology at Żelewo, Poland (4 units)
• Description of both courses: Excavation and analysis of a medieval cemetery as part of a salvage archaeology project in Poland. Training in field methods (e.g., locating graves, leveling, revealing grave shape, mapping, and excavation), lab methods (e.g., osteology, biological profile, trauma, pathology, taphonomy), and Polish culture and history.
• There are no prerequisites for these courses, and students are enrolled in their choice of one or both courses through Cal Poly Humboldt after they are accepted into the program. Students will be able to order a transcript after the program to transfer the credits to their university.
• Students should contact their academic advisors to discuss how this program may count towards fulfillment of their program requirements. 

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LOCATION & LOGISTICS

• Żelewo is located on the shore of Lake Miedwie in northwestern Poland (see map). There are many additional towns around the lake, including Kobylanka, where we plan to lodge. The site is about 18 miles from the regional capital Szczecin.
• Students stay in classrooms (at a local school) that have been adapted as dormitories. There are restroom and shower facilities. Cell phone reception at the school is generally good. Internet/Wi-Fi is available but sometimes intermittent.
• Meals are served at in the morning, afternoon, and evening. We will eat healthy Polish fare, and vegetarian options are available for all meals. Water is drinkable from the tap. There are markets directly by the lodging site.
• During the program, students have weekends free to tour the region. We also visit sites in the nearby region (e.g., Szczecin, Stargard, Kołbacz) as part of a group trip. 

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The area around the site has been for at least thousands of years. As such, lithics are regularly encountered during fieldwork. The examples above represent a selection of lithics from the site and cover the whole Stone Age settlement, starting from the Late Palaeolithic (probably around 12,000-11,500 cal BC) to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze transition (around 2100-1900 cal BC). (images by Michał Adamczyk)

• June 24 - July 3, 2027 online asynchronous. Material, including recorded lectures and readings, will be placed on a shared platform for participants to access. This material will focus on the historical and cultural context of the site and methods that will be employed. This material will be be a flexible and accessible format, so that students that may be traveling ahead of the program will be able to review the material on a personal device such as a tablet or smartphone.
• July 4 - July 31, 2027 in Poland at the field site.
• Arrival: It is recommended that students arrive at/near Poland at least one or two full days ahead of the start dates. Many students enjoy arriving ahead and touring the region. The field school bus picks students up in Szczecin the morning of the first day of the session indicated above. Szczecin is the regional capital about 18 miles from the field site and about 2.5 hours from Berlin. To get to Szczecin, students take a bus/train from their arrival airport of choice. It is possible to fly directly to the Szczecin-Goleniów Airport (SZZ), although for more options and best bus/train service, we recommend arriving at the Brandenburg Airport (BER) airport and catching the FlixBus next to the airport. Students attending the program will be provided additional information.
• After the program: Bus returns students to Szczecin in the morning the final day of the program. From this point, students may continue travel independently or take a bus/train to their departure airport. If leaving directly after the program, students are advised to plan their flight no sooner than the late afternoon. We recommend planning the departing flight at least a day after the program to give yourself time to sight see.

We occasionally encounter artifacts within graves. Below are from recent season. 

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• There are three main associated costs: program fee, tuition, and travel to and from Szczecin, Poland. All costs are given in US dollars.
  • Program Fee: $3500 (preliminary). The program fee covers in-Poland costs between pick-up and drop-off at the arrival city (Szczecin, Poland). This includes travel from Szczecin to the site and back, lodging at the site, meals during the program, and health insurance. Students are responsible for additional costs for any choice travel, outings, and snacks, etc. before/during/after the program.
  • Tuition Fee: $300 per unit for 2-6 units. This fee covers the educational component and units through Cal Poly Humboldt. Students have options for how many units to take. The program is the same regardless of units. *There is no additional cost for out-of-state students (out-of-state students pay the same as in-state students).
  • Travel to and from Poland: Cost varies. Students are responsible for their own travel to and from Szczecin, Poland (see schedule for more information). Cost varies depending on time of purchase and travel choices. Flights are generally least expensive if purchased several months in advance (although prices sometimes drop again a couple months ahead) and if flying from a major airport. Specific information will be provided to attendees. Students are advised to not purchase airfare until their acceptance to the program is verified. Students are advised to purchase flight insurance; the program shall not reimburse students for airfare if for any reason the student does not attend the program or if incorrect flights are purchased.
• Fee due dates:
  • If accepted into the program, a deposit of approximately $400 (part of the program fee) will be due by February, 2027. The remaining fees and tuition will be due between the middle to end of the Spring semester. Cal Poly Humboldt students expecting financial aid for summer may be eligible for deferment of the anticipated aid amount. Additional details, including exact due dates, will be provided in advance. 
• Funding: Financial aid for summer is usually a bit different than for the academic year. Cal Poly Humboldt students typically need to be enrolled in a minimum number of summer units to qualify for financial aid. Please be sure to check with your financial aid office. Summer financial aid usually dispersed until mid summer, well after program fees are due and plane tickets need to be purchased (early-mid spring). For all of these reasons, students are advised to consider planning their spring budget/aid to cover costs.
  • Contact the Financial Aid office to discuss options.
  • Contact the Study Abroad office for recommendations.
  • Additional limited sources include:
    • https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-directory/academic-major/archaeology
    • https://www.archaeological.org/grant/waldbaum-scholarship/

The Medieval Bioarchaeology Field Program in Żelewo is a collaboration among faculty from Cal Poly Humboldt, the University of Szczecin in Poland, and Jagiellonian University in Poland, together with collaborators from other institutions in the US and Poland. It is conducted in collaboration with the In Situ Foundation in Poland.

*Please contact Katie Menor or Marissa Ramsier for questions regarding applying to the program.

Applications for Summer 2027 are now open! 

• The application deadline is Feb 1, 2027. However, early application is recommended - seats may be filled as applications are received.

The application process has two steps:

• STEP 1: Initial Application, linked here
  • This is for applicants to indicate their interest and qualifications, and to receive an initial response about acceptance. 
  • Part of this process includes getting a recommendation from at least two faculty members familiar with your work (here is link to the form for recommenders to complete). 
• STEP 2: Formal Application via Cal Poly Humboldt Study Abroad Application
  • Formal applications will open by the end of Fall 2026 and are due no later than February 1, 2027.
  • If you are allotted a spot via a decision from the initial application (Step 1), for your spot to be held, you will need to complete the formal application and pay fees on time (please see the budget section).
  • The formal application is where you provide information necessary to enroll in the program, such as additional contact information, dietary preferences, passport information, etc.

For questions regarding applying to the program, please contact:

• Katie Menor at katherine.menor@humboldt.edu 
• Marissa Ramsier at marissa.ramsier@humboldt.edu

Below are some recent publications from our research at Żelewo.

• Adamczyk, M., Ślusarska K., Karmowski, J., Gaddis Menor, K., and Ramsier, M. (2026). Landscape, power, and population in a Cistercian Pomeranian microregion: Żelewo (Site 1–3), Poland. Landscape Archaeology Conference, Bamberg, 18-21.03.2026.
• Adamczyk, M., Ślusarska K., Karmowski, J., Gaddis Menor, K., and Ramsier, M. (2026). Hunters, herdsmen, hard rock lovers. The Stone Age landscapes of Żelewo, North-Western Poland. Landscape Archaeology Conference, Bamberg, 18-21.03.2026.
• Boyle, A., Ramsier, M., and Ślusarska, K. (2026). An investigation into the weaning practices of the medieval cemetery population at Żelewo, Poland using stable isotope analysis and dental microwear analysis. Proceedings of 91st Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology
• Meyer, M., Gaddis Menor, K., Ramsier, M., and Ślusarska, K. (2026). Endocranial Lesions: A paleopathological study of late medieval skeletal remains from Źelewo, Poland. Proceedings of 91st Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology
• Mulliner-Szyndler, M., Ramsier, M., Gaddis Menor, K., Karmowski, J., and Ślusarska, K. (2026). Grit: A study in medieval Pomerania, examining skeletal remains for resilience and agency, post trauma. Proceedings of 91st Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology
• Paige, M. L., Ramsier, M., and Adamczyk, M. (2026). Stable isotope analysis: Diet and nutritional stress in a late medieval population. Proceedings of 91st Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology
• Ramsier, M., Gaddis Menor, K., Mulliner-Szyndler, M., Adamczyk, M., Karmowski, J., and Ślusarska, K. (2026). Interpreting habitual activities and lifeways in medieval Pomerania from patterns of dental pathology and attrition at Żelewo. Proceedings of 91st Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology
• Karmowski, J., Ślusarska K., Adamczyk, M.,  Szyndler, M., Gaddis K., Gruenthal-Rankin, A., and Ramsier, M. (2025). Przeszłość ma przyszłość! / The past has a future!”: “Automated archaeological feature recognition: Utilizing QGIS and SCP raster classification methods for grave pit detection at medieval cemetery in Żelewo. Scientific Conference of the Faculty of Archaeology, University of Warsaw 4.04.2025.
• Ślusarska, K., Adamczyk, M., Gaddis, K., Karmowski, J., Ramsier, M., and Szyndler, M. (2025). Najnowsze wyniki badań na cmentarzysku średniowiecznym w Żelewie (st. 1–3), gm. Stare Czarnowo. Sezon badań 2025. 25 Sesja Pomorzoznawcza, Puck, 19-21.11.2025
• Ślusarska, K., Adamczyk, M., Karmowski, J., Gaddis, K., Ramsier, M., and Szyndler, M. (2025). Badania archeologiczne na stanowisku Żelewo, stan. 1–3, gm. Stare Czarnowo w sezonach 2023 i 2024. XI Archeologiczna Sesja Sprawozdawcza, Szczecin, 21-22.01.2025.
• Ślusarska, K., Karmowski, J., Adamczyk, M., Gaddis, K., Ramsier, M., and Szyndler M. (2025). Badania na średniowiecznym cmentarzysku w Żelewie. Nowe porozumienie o współpracy naukowej pomiędzy Instytutem Historycznym Uniwersytetu Szczecińskiego i Instytutem Archeologii Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego” Konferencja Sprawozdawcza Instytutu Archeologii Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego: Badania w Sezonie 2025, Kraków, 11-12.12.2025.
• Ślusarska, K., Adamczyk, M., Karmowski, J., Gruenthal-Rankin, A., Gaddis, K., and Ramsier, M. (2024). Life and death by the lake in Pomerania: Introducing the late medieval cemetery at Żelewo site 1-3. Proceedings of 89th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.
• Ślusarska, K., Adamczyk, M., Karmowski, J., Gaddis, K., Gruenthal-Rankin, A., and Ramsier M. (2023).  Wstępne wyniki badań cmentarzyska średniowiecznego na stanowisku Żelewo, stan. 1–3, gm. Stare Czarnowo. XXIV Sesja Pomorzoznawcza, Szczecin, 16-17.11.2023.