Sardis Undergraduate Internship Opportunities: Summer 2027 

Date and Time

October 28, 2026
All day

The Archaeological Exploration of Sardis, sponsored by the Harvard Art Museums, has opportunities for undergraduate Archaeological Interns for the 2027 excavation season in western Türkiye. Sardis, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, was a major city of western Asia Minor from the time of Homer until the Byzantine period, home of the Lydian king Croesus and one of the Seven Churches of Asia. The Sardis Expedition has been conducting excavation and research at the site each year since 1958. Current projects include excavations in Lydian houses and the palace of the Lydian kings, a major Roman sanctuary of the imperial cult and its later transformations, and the largest arch in the Roman world; conservation and analysis of buildings and artifacts; research and publication of pottery, coins, excavation sectors, buildings, and other results; survey and 3-dimensional modeling from aerial photographs. 

 The team of about 80 archaeologists, architects, conservators, recorders, and specialists comes from all over the world. The schedule is strenuous and the weather often hot. The excavation season lasts two and a half months, from early June until mid-August. The Expedition covers round-trip airfare, room and board, and additional travel within Türkiye. The intern will be required to take, before going to Sardis, one course with significant archaeological content related to the ancient periods, civilizations and classes of archaeological material covered and investigated by the Sardis Expedition. On site, students will: 

  • Gain an understanding of the research goals, scope, and expected results of the campaign. 
  • Engage in a varied and meaningful learning experience with tasks that vary each week. 
  • Experience tutorial and educational activities (teaching workshops; lectures) focusing on topics related to Sardis and, more generally, to themes of the archaeology of Asia Minor. 
  • Receive training in specific skills or use of equipment. 
  • Take part in field trips to sites and museums in Türkiye including on-site presentations or short site/museum reports after the visit 
  • Be encouraged to write a short report on their on-site experiences.   

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in participating, please email as soon as possible, and no later than Wednesday, October 28, a statement of interest, a current transcript, a resumé, and the names of two Harvard faculty as referees to the Administrative Director, Bahadır Yıldırım:  bahadir_yildirim@harvard.edu. 

Decisions will be made shortly thereafter, and we will need a firm commitment from you by mid-November, when the team list is finalized. 

Opportunities also exist for graduate students to participate during the field season, and we encourage interested grad students to contact as soon as possible, the Sardis Administrative Director, Bahadır Yıldırım: bahadir_yildirim@harvard.edu.

LEARN MORE! on Friday, October 16, 5:30pm

As part of the Worldwide Week at Harvard 2026 activities, there will be an event to learn more about Sardis and the internship opportunities on Friday, October 16, 5:30-6:30pm, in the Plimpton Room (133), Barker Center, 12 Quincy Street.  Hear from students who participated in the 2026 field season and learn about their experience.  RSVP encouraged but not required.  Please RSVP to the Sardis Coordinator, alyssa_martinez@harvard.edu. Food will be served. 

If you are unable to attend the event but are interested in learning more about the application process, please contact alyssa_martinez@harvard.edu as soon as possible for more information. 

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT SARDIS

For more information about Sardis visit the following websites and links to articles and videos: 

 

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