IRLAB

The application for IRLAB’s 2026 Field Experience in Bioarchaeology will close April 15th. Session I (May) is full but there are still a few spots left in Session II (June). Apply now at irlabnp.org!

We are pleased to share a new peer-reviewed article:

“Life and death of migrants and pioneers in 19th-century Ohio”
(Cariboni, Coschino, Vercellotti)
Archeologia Postmedievale, 29 (2025)

The article has also been selected for the cover of the journal, highlighting the relevance of the research.
The study presents the results of over a decade of work within the Harrison Township Cholera Cemetery Project, an excavation directed and managed by IRLAB, in collaboration with The Ohio State University.
Through an integrated bioarchaeological, archaeological, and anthropological approach, the research reconstructs the life conditions of Irish and German migrant communities involved in the construction of the Ohio & Erie Canal and affected by the cholera epidemics of the 19th century.
Despite the near-total loss of gravestones, the project has identified individuals, family relationships, and patterns of trauma and disease, transforming an apparently unremarkable site into a significant biological and social archive of the American Midwest.

https://irlabnp.org/from-anonymous-burials-to-historical-archive-new-irlab-research-featured-on-journal-cover/

Our last presenter is Allyson Simon, a PhD candidate at Ohio State University and an IRLAB board member. At the American Association of Biological Anthropologists meeting, Allyson presented part of her dissertation research focusing on whether mortality patterns at the Harrison Township Cholera Cemetery (HTCC) support site-specific historical narratives about the cholera epidemics.

There are a few spots left in our bioarchaeological field school at HTCC. Go to irlabnp.org to apply now!

Tom Coley, a current undergraduate student at Ohio State University, presented research related to his undergraduate thesis—a comparative analysis of oral health at the Harrison Township Cholera Cemetery (HTCC)—at the annual meeting of the American Association of Biological Anthropologists. Tom has been a member of the excavation and research team at HTCC since 2024 and looks forward to returning to the field this spring.

Our next presenter is Alex Morehouse, a current undergraduate student at Ohio State University. Alex presented her case study titled “Metabolic Stress in a Child from 19th Century Ohio” at the annual meeting of the Paleopathology Association.

⛏️ 2nd call for Field School Camaiano!

IRLAB's collaborations with new projects in Italy designed for foreign participants are resuming!

📍 This starts now with the opening of registrations for the Field School in Roman and Medieval Archaeology in Camaiano, Tuscany 🇮🇹.

🌊 This magnificent location, situated between the sea and the countryside of Central Italy, is where the team from Project, under the guidance of the of Bologna, conducts stunning archaeological excavations.

What you'll discover 🔎
🏺The project focuses on the 10th-century site of the Church of San Gerusalemme and San Giovanni Battista (St. Jerome and St. John the Baptist), through the excavation and study of both Roman and Medieval layers.
💀 You will explore burials, material culture, and the practical application of historical topography. A truly unique experience! ⛏️📜

Sign up! 👇
Follow the link in bio to find all the information about the project and secure your spot! Don't miss out!

Support the future of archaeological and bioarchaeological research!
Every contribution helps us train new generations of scholars, uncover stories of past communities, and bring science to the public.

Please consider making a donation today — even a small contribution makes a real impact.
Link in bio.

The Institute for Research and Learning in Archaeology and Bioarchaeology (IRLAB) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing and sharing archaeological and bioarchaeological knowledge through research, education, and public outreach.

(IRLAB is a 501(c)(3) organization; all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.)

Sign up for the last spot available!

⛏️ IRLAB's collaborations continue ⛏️

🏛️ Montaione Field School 2026: Enrollment is Open!

Prepare to immerse yourself in Roman Archaeology and Material Culture in the heart of Tuscany!
Join us this summer in Montaione for an unforgettable hands-on experience, featuring an updated and enhanced program that builds upon the successes of previous seasons.

Participants will gain practical skills and new perspectives in:
🪏 Excavation Techniques: Learning and implementing current methodologies in archaeological digging.
🏺Artifact Study: Systematic processing and analysis of material finds.
🗿 Restoration and Conservation: Essential skills in preserving ancient materials.
💻 Digital Documentation: Advanced training in Photogrammetry and Topography.

The Field School will run from June 29th to July 24th.

Following successful past campaigns, which included the significant discovery of the Hercule statue, we are ready for another incredible season of discoveries in an improved learning environment! 🇮🇹

All details, application forms, and deadlines are available via the !

Do not miss this opportunity to dig into history and be part of our most comprehensive and current Field School program.

Check .project to take a look at the past season!

⛏️ IRLAB Collaborations are back! ⛏️

IRLAB's collaborations with new projects in Italy designed for foreign participants are resuming! This starts now with the opening of registrations for the Field School in Roman and Medieval Archaeology in Camaiano, Tuscany 🇮🇹.

This magnificent location, situated between the sea and the countryside of Central Italy, is where the team from Project, under the guidance of the of Bologna, conducts stunning archaeological excavations.

What you'll discover 🔎
The project focuses on the 10th-century site of the Church of San Gerusalemme and San Giovanni Battista (St. Jerome and St. John the Baptist), through the excavation and study of both Roman and Medieval layers.
You will explore burials, material culture, and the practical application of historical topography. A truly unique experience! ⛏️📜

Sign up! 👇
Follow the link in bio to find all the information about the project and secure your spot! Don't miss out!

This year, IRLAB successfully concludes another one of its Field Schools on Italian soil. The collaboration between IRLAB and Montaione began a year ago, and the success of this 2025 campaign makes us look to the future with even greater enthusiasm. After our presence in Ohio in May and June, in July, we brought three members of our institute (Thomas Coley, Fabio Stratta, and Alessandro Cariboni) to coordinate twelve American students within a Tuscan postcard setting, amidst Roman baths from the 2nd-3rd centuries CE and abandonment phases from the 5th-6th centuries. On-site, the IRLAB team was supported and assisted by the team of archaeologists and professionals who have been following the site for many years now (Antonio Alberti, Sabrina Bartali, Alessandro Costantini, Elena Funghini, Fabio Stratta along with ), with the approval of the Municipality of Montaione, both in the person of Mayor Gian Paolo Pomponi and the residents who so favorably welcomed us. With this thank you, we invite you to continue following our current and future projects, and, at least concerning the Montaione site, we'll see you next year!

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