Gruppo Archeologico Romano -- Spring 2002 English Language Programme: The GAR was founded in 1963 as a voluntary organization to Study and preserve Rome's cultural heritage. It sponsors lectures and site visits in Italian and English, field trips, field schools, excavations, and emergency preservation programs. The organization "went national" in 1965 with the founding of the Gruppi Archeologici d'Italia, and there are local chapters throughout Italy.

The spring 2002 English Language Programme of lectures, site visits, and field trips of the GAR has been published, and it has even more than the usual wide range of offerings. Even though this is specifically the "English Language" section of the organization, by popular request, some Italian Language site visits and field trips will be offered in addition to the English language offerings. Site visits and lectures are on weekday mornings at 10 AM and last approximately 2 hours each. Some of the weekday programs are split at the Easter break. Field trips are on Saturdays or, in one case, over Saturday-Sunday and have 6:45 to 7:15 departure times from Rome.

Following is an abbreviated schedule. All the site visits and field trips are conducted in English except where otherwise noted. More information is available at http://www.mmdtkw.org/GARHome.html, or contact Ms. Anna Taggiasco, director of the Gruppo Archeologico English Programme, 06-39737703, for a copy of the full program and fee schedule.

Mondays: not scheduled

Tuesdays -- 10 AM:

Roma Archeologica-1. Seven site visits (in Italian) from February 5 through March 19.

Roma Archeologica-2. Eight site visits (in Italian), from April 9 through May 28, conducted by Elisa Gusberti and Serena Giuliani, both of whom are working archeologists at excavations in Rome and elsewhere in Italy.

Wednesdays -- 10 AM. Rome through the Centuries (Middle Ages to the Present, picking up where the Fall 2001 series left off). One Lecture at GAR headquarters, via degli Scipioni 30/a, and fourteen site visits, from February 6 through June 12, conducted by Nicole Fuget, a graduate of the Institute d'Etudes Politique (Paris), former lecturer at Johns Hopkins University (Bologna), Italian Art and History expert.

Thursdays -- 10 AM.

Early Christian Rome. Six site visits, from February 7 through March 21, conducted by Olaf Steen, a laureate in Art History of the University of Bergen, Norway, a member of the Norwegian Institute in Rome, a resident of several years in Rome during which he has been researching Early Christian Art.

Roman Neighborhoods. Ten neighborhood visits, from April 4 through June 13, conducted by Federica D'Orazio, who has a degree in the History of Art from La Sapienza (Rome) and is finishing at the School of Specialization in Conservation of Works of Art at University Tuscia (Viterbo).

Fridays -- 10 AM:

Faith and Reason in the Search for God. Ten lectures at GAR Headquarters, from February 1 through April 19, delivered by Francesca Brownsbeger, who has a Masters Degree in Theology from the Catholic University of America (Washington DC) and who has worked for the US Catholic Bishops Conference and for Vatican Radio.

The Story of St. Peter's Basilica. Six lectures at SAR Headquarters, from April 26 through May 31, delivered by Valerie Higgens, Ph.D. from Sheffield University, and Paul Gwynne, Ph.D. from the Warberg Institute, both of whom are now teaching at American University of Rome.

Saturday/Weekend field trips:

March 23 -- Spoleto. In Umbria, Roman Spoletum, Medieval town, home of Giancarlo Menotti's famed music festival. Conducted by Nicole Fuget.

April 13 -- Pitigliano, Sovana, Sorano. Towns with Etruscan, Medieval and Renaissance remains and, of course, the wonderful Tuscany landscapes. Conducted by Serena Giuliani.

May 18 -- La Campania fra Etruschi e Romani -- The Campania from the Etruscans to the Romans (in Italian). Ancient sites in the hills above the Bay of Naples. Conducted by Cinzia Iorio, laureate in Classical Archeology from the University of Naples and author of many articles concerning the area.

June 1-2 -- Alla Scoperta della Marche: Fabriano e Iesi -- Discovery of the Marches: Fabriano and Iesi. Medieval/Renaissance remains, museums, churches and convents, art and architecture. Conducted by Enrico Ragni.

A few copies of the spring semester English program are available at the US Embassy CLO office or contact Ms. Anna Taggiasco at the number listed above.

Internet links:

For the English Language sessions: http://www.mmdtkw.org/GARHome.html

Gruppo Archeologico Romano official Internet site (in Italian): http://www.gruppoarcheologico.it/istituzionale/chisiamo.htm

Gruppi Archeologici d'Italia -- the national organization -- Internet site (in Italian): http://www.gruppiarcheologici.org/ -- many corollary links, but almost exclusively in Italian.

Go to http://www.mmdtkw.org/Veneto2002.html for other articles.