New university experiences: intergenerational archaeological excavations as a participatory learning method

Abstract

[EN] The present paper outlines a new training process carried out during the summer of 2017 by the research team at the site of the Roman villa of Noheda. The project is based on the practical implementation of an archaeological excavation experience and the study of related materials by an intergenerational team. The activity was carried out by students of various Spanish and foreign universities together with senior citizens who had previously been thoroughly trained in archaeological methodology. Not all of the senior citizens had university degrees, but they did have extensive life experience allowing them to bring a high degree of commitment to the project. All the students were able to implement the archaeological knowledge acquired in the preceding months through theoretical lessons covering a wide range of subjects. They worked through participative procedures in intergenerational teams, thereby fostering the exchange of knowledge and new learning methods. The results were very positive, from both an academic and a scientific perspective, as well as in terms of the participants’ personal gratification.