This past summer, Amelia Webster, a forensic anthropology and biology student at Ohio State, found herself in the quiet Polish village of Giecz, surrounded by rolling fields and centuries of history buried beneath the soil.
Webster participated in the Slavia Field School in Mortuary Archaeology, an experience she said became one of the most formative chapters of her academic journey.
“I’ve spent years studying human remains with some experience in recent remains,” Webster said. “But nothing could have compared to the hands-on experience with medieval remains I gained while studying in one of Poland’s richest archaeological regions.”
For several weeks, Webster trained in osteology, learning to determine age, biological sex, pathology and signs of trauma from skeletal remains excavated from Giecz’s medieval cemetery.
“Unlike traditional classroom settings, this course gave me the rare chance to work directly with individuals who lived nearly 1,000 years ago,” they said. “I was able to handle, clean and document actual human bones, developing my skills in skeletal analysis through the study of authentic archaeological material.”
Beyond bones, excavations revealed pottery, tools and structures, adding context to the lives once lived there.
The field school wasn’t only about long hours in the lab and at excavation sites. On weekends, Webster explored the nearby city of Poznań, one of Poland’s most vibrant urban centers.
“From strolling through the colorful Old Market Square to tasting pierogi at local cafes, I truly fell in love with the city’s blend of historical depth and youthful energy,” they said. “The contrast between the ancient burial grounds in Giecz and the bustling streets of Poznań reminded me of the powerful continuum between past and present that archaeology highlights.”
That blend of past and present shaped more than just their technical skills. The experience deepened Webster’s respect for human history and the ethical responsibilities of their discipline.
“Being trusted with the care and study of real human remains carries a weight of responsibility that I now understand more fully,” they said. “This field school not only deepened my academic knowledge but also affirmed my passion for working at the intersection of anthropology, medicine and human history.”
By the time Webster returned to the United States, she not only carried new training and insights but also a sense of connection to the people who lived in medieval Poland, to the colleagues they worked alongside and to the future they are building in forensic anthropology.
“My time in Giecz has become a cornerstone of my journey toward a career in forensic pathology and anthropology,” they said.
Webster’s experience in Poland was supported by a Polish Studies Initiative scholarship administered by the Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies.