IE School of Humanities students explore History, Archaeology, and New Technologies on a field trip to Tiermes and Gormaz
By combining academic rigor with on-site learning, the initiative reflects the School’s commitment to experiential learning.
A group of fifteen first-year students from the Bachelor in Humanities and the Dual Degree in Business Administration & Humanities participated in a two-day academic field trip to the Tiermes–Gormaz area, in the region of Castilla y León. The visit was led by two professors from the Archaeology Unit at IE University and designed to immerse students in Spain’s archaeological and historical heritage while connecting classroom learning with direct field experience.
The initiative, funded by the IE School of Humanities, reflects the school’s commitment to experiential learning. Students were able to explore archaeological landscapes, engage in critical discussions about cultural heritage, and examine how new technologies are reshaping the study and preservation of the past.
The program began on Saturday with a guided tour of the Tiermes archaeological site, followed by a group lunch and an academic session on Archaeology and New Technologies. A workshop on ancient technologies allowed students to experience traditional methods first-hand. The day concluded with a group dinner and overnight stay in Berlanga de Duero, fostering exchange and reflection among participants.
On Sunday, the group explored the intersections of heritage, history, and law. A morning visit to San Baudelio centered on debates around looting and cultural property legislation, followed by a study of medieval iconography at San Miguel de Gormaz hermitage. Later, the students examined the Caliphal frontier through a site visit to Gormaz Castle, a unique example of medieval military architecture. The trip ended with a group lunch in El Burgo de Osma and a stroll through the town’s historic center before returning to Segovia.
For many participants, the field trip offered a first opportunity to experience archaeology beyond the classroom. "Visiting Tiermes to Gormaz gave us a real sense of how history, culture, and law come together in the study of heritage," shared Nicole Jones, student from the Bachelor in Humanities. "It was great to explore these sites with my classmates, allowing us to get to know each other better", she added. Nicole Jones (Bachelor in Humanities)
By combining academic rigor with on-site learning, the field trip from Tiermes to Gormaz highlighted the distinctive approach of the IE School of Humanities: "preparing students to engage with the past not only through study, but also through lived experience".