1. Title of Proposed Research Project:
Implications of the water supply on ancient and modern-day settlement patterns at Kalilthea,
Greece and Masseria Ciccotti and Petrara, Italy.
Overview/Abstract of the Proposed Research Project:
Provide a short abstract or overview of the proposed research
project, including the objects of the project. Please use language
for a broad audience. (Maximum 300 words)  300
Water is a basic necessity of life and essential for the growth of civilization. The growth of
Mediterranean civilizations has played an integral role in the development of modern-day
practices, including delivery of water. My current independent study course, Greek and Roman
Studies 423, inspired me to investigate safe water supply during ancient times. My research
topic examines the system of aqueducts that serviced Rome during ancient times.
I plan to pursue this interest further, through a study abroad program offered by the University of
Alberta (http://www.historyandclassics.ualberta.ca/StudyAbroad.aspx). I will spend June 2– 22
in Greece under Dr. Haagsma and June 23– July 11 in Italy under Dr. Fracchia. In conjunction
with this, I intend to expand on the aforementioned research topic in the form of field studies at
Kalilthea, Greece (9th
– 1st
century BCE) and Masseria Ciccotti and Petrara, Italy (3rd
century
BCE - 7th
century CE). The proposed research project will apply geoarchaeological methods at
these sites in order to reconstruct past water delivery method(s), both natural and man-made. My
primary objective is to study how the safe supply of water relates to settlement patterns during
two prominent overlapping periods of rural occupation within the developing Greek and Roman
civilizations. I further propose to evaluate the implications of ancient water supply on the virtual
abandonment of these sites, as well as modern-day settlement patterns. I plan to examine water
quality and quantity and its relationship to geological and cultural stratigraphy at the sites, in
order to ascertain possible contaminates and potential mechanisms of filtration. Hydrogeological
mapping will include the collection of multiple water samples from springs, as well, field
descriptions of man-made structures, such as aqueducts and cisterns. Chemical analysis of
collected waters will be conducted both on-site, as well as in lab to determine water composition
and quality.
Originality and Creativity
Highlight the originality and creative aspects of your research
project. Please use language for a broad audience. (Maximum 300
words)  213
People have long sought to explain the processes by which certain aspects of civilization allow
us to flourish. The field of geoarchaeology has been largely overlooked as a mechanism for
explaining these processes. Previous research at the case study locations in Greece (e.g.
Tziafalias et al., 2009; Haagsma et al., 2011) and Italy (e.g. Fracchia et al., 1999; Fracchia and
Mattiolia, 2010) has largely focused on possible functions of the occupations and settlement
patterns. At these sites, there has not been in-depth analysis as to water supply, both natural and
man-made, save for the existence of aqueducts and river systems. As such, the impact of

2. environmental conditions and having a safe water supply has been overlooked. The availability
of safe water supply attributed to occupations patterns can have implications regarding the
present access to clean water in other regions of the world.
The incorporation of a geoarchaeological perspective with respect to this project will provide an
original and creative application to this important field of knowledge. Furthermore, as “the
present is the key to the past” and looking at the past can inform the future, this project will
provide an opportunity to delve into how the water supply system has contributed to the area and
the implications for future land-use patterns and consumption.
Fracchia, H., M. Gualtieri and A. Jansen. 1999. “Roman Lucania and the Upper Brandano
Valley”. Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome, Vol. 43/44, pp. 295-343.
Fracchia, H. and T. Mattiolia. 2010. “Recent Research in the Upper Bradano Valley”. Mouseion,
Series III, Vol. 10, pp.169 - 192.
Haagsma, M., S. Karapanou, T. Harvey, and L. Surtees. 2011. “An Ancient City and its Agora.
Results of the Archaeological Project at the Kastro of Kallithea, Greece.” In The Agora in the
Mediterranean: from Homeric to Roman times,’ organised by the Archaeological Institute for
Aegean Studies, the Hellenic Ministry of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping and the
Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism, edited by E. Giannikouri, pp. 197-209.
Tziafalias, A., S. Karapanou, M. Haagsma and S. Gouglas. 2009. “Preliminary results of the
Urban Survey at Kastro Kallithea.” In Αρχαιολογικό Έργο Θεσσαλίας και Στέρεας Ελλάδας.
Πρακτικά επιστημονικής συνάντησης 2. Βόλος 16.3-19.3 2006. Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού, edited by
Μαζαράκης-Αινιάν, Α., pp. 217-229. Volos: Ministry of Culture.
Briefly explain the potential benefit this project will provide to you
(Maximum 200 words)  193
I have come back to university with the intention of finishing a PhD in (Classical)
Geoarchaeology. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree with a Specialization in Geology from the
University of Alberta. I am currently full-time in an after-degree Bachelor of Arts with a major
in Greek and Roman Studies and minor in Archaeology. This project can be nothing but
advantageous, as expertise in terms of archaeological fieldwork is a necessity. This project
provides the full-spectrum of experience in the form of project development, lobbying for
(research) funding, field research, and knowledge mobilization. Notwithstanding, this
epitomizes an ideal opportunity to work and share ideas directly with researchers in my area of
study. This interaction will not only be on a local scale through the University of Calgary’s
support but at an international relational level at the project sites in Greece and Italy. There is
also the potential to present the findings for further feed-back through peer-reviewed
publications as well as venues, such as the University of Calgary’s Department of Archaeology’s
47th
Annual Chacmool Conference to be held in the fall of 2014. This conference draws attendees
world-wide from a variety of disciplines.