Archaeological Excavations in Israel 2017 1 January 2017

Archaeological Excavations in Israel 2017

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    This is a preliminary list of archaeological excavations in Israel in 2017. The excavation details have been published by the archaeologists in charge of the individual expeditions. Additional digs will be added as the information becomes available.
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    The stone with the menorah symbol which was discovered in the synagogue at Magdala. The stone with the menorah symbol which was discovered in the synagogue at Magdala. Copyright: Yael Yulowich, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
     
     

    INTRODUCTION

    This list of archaeological expeditions which accept volunteers is compiled by the Israel Foreign Ministry as a service to the public, and is not an endorsement of any of the projects listed. The excavation details below been published by the archaeologists in charge of the individual expeditions, who bear responsibility for their contents.

    NOTE: Any questions, comments or requests for additional information must be directed to the contact person indicated for each project, and not to the Israel Foreign Ministry.


    VOLUNTEERING

    Many archaeologists enlist volunteer help on their digs, as volunteers are highly motivated and wish to learn and gain experience, although the work is often difficult and tedious. Usually, no previous experience is necessary. The work includes digging, shovelling, hauling baskets of earth and sherds, cleaning pottery sherds and more. Volunteers are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from Israel.

    ACCOMMODATION

    Accommodations for volunteers can range from sleeping bags in the field, to rooms in hostels or kibbutzim, to 3-star hotels near a site. Each expedition has its own accommodation arrangements.

    There is usually a charge for food and lodging, although on some excavations these are free. Volunteers who require kosher food should inquire in advance. Excavations conducted in or near a city often require volunteers to find their own accommodations.

    CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

    Volunteers should have comfortable, sturdy clothes for heavy work. Sunhats are absolutely compulsory in summer; warm clothing is suggested for summer evenings as the weather can be cool. Winters are wet and cold; warm clothes and water-proof boots are necessary.

    Equipment that may be useful - depending on the conditions at the site and the type of accommodation available - includes work-gloves, sleeping bag, canteen, towels and sunscreen lotion.

    WORK HOURS

    The work schedule at an excavation is organized according to the conditions at the site. A day on an average dig begins before dawn and ends after noon. There is normally a rest period after lunch. The afternoons and early evenings may be devoted to lectures, additional excavation work, cleaning and sorting of pottery and other finds, or they may be free.

    CREDIT COURSES

    Some expeditions offer credit courses from sponsoring institutions. Details concering subjects, conditions and cost may be obtained by contacting the expedition director.

    LECTURES

    Most expedition directors (or other staff members) offer informal lectures covering the history and archaeology of the site and discussion of the type of work involved. Volunteers should feel free to request information regarding an excavation in order to be able to appreciate all aspects of the work.

    RECREATION AND TRIPS

    Recreational facilities (swimming pools, beaches and sporting grounds) may be available, depending on the location of the site. Most expeditions organize sightseeing and field trips to sites in the area and to neighboring museums.

    INSURANCE

    In most cases, volunteers must arrange for medical and accident insurance in advance. Even in instances when accident insurance is provided, it is strongly advised that volunteers come fully insured as the insurance offered is minimal.

    APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION

    When applying to the director of an excavation you should indicate any previous studies you may have in archaeology or related fields, such as anthropology, architecture, geography, surveying, graphic arts; or experience in excavation work, pottery restoration or photography.

    For registration, please contact the persons listed in the individual entries. Please note that a registration fee is often required.

    Note: Israel Ministry of Interior regulations require that passports of all volunteers (other than Israeli) be stamped with a volunteer visa (B4). This request should be made by the volunteer at the point of entry into Israel. 

     
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  • EXCAVATIONS 2017

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    Listing of archaeological excavations in Israel 2017

    Name of excavation

    Dates

    Ein Gedi

    January 29 – February 2017

    Central Timna Valley (CTV)

    February 2017

    Tel Gezer

    May 15 - June 9

    Shikhin/Asochis

    May 20 - June 20

    Mount Zion

    June 15 - July 8

    Horvat Kur

    To be announced, June 2017

    Tel Abel Beth Maacah

    June 25 - July 21

    Tel Burna

    July 2 - July 28

    Tell Es-Safi/Gath

    July 2 - July 28

    Khirbet El-Eika

    July 2 - July 27

    Hippos (Sussita)

    September 3 - September 13

    Kursi Beach

    October 15 - November 30

     

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    EIN GEDI

    Ein Gedi is an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, more than 400 m. below sea level. Fresh water springs flow there and have made permanent settlement that lived on irrigation agriculture. It is the only Jewish settlement from the 6th century that has been excavated on the shore of the Dead Sea.

    Last January we united Hirschfeld excavated part of the village with the ancient synagogue neighboring Houses. Therefore, in February 2017 we intend to complete Hirschfeld excavations on the northern side of the village where there was then, a metal pipe.

    Directors: Dr. Gideon Hadas & Dr. Orit Peleg, Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

    Dates: January 29 – February 2017.

    Accommodation:

    The First 2 weeks in Ein Gedi Field School, the last 2 weeks in Ein Gedi youth hostel, 4 people per room. Accommodation can also be arranged at the Ein Gedi Kibbutz Hotel - www.booking.com/Ein-Gedi-Kibbutz-Hotel
    Telephone no: 972-8-6594222; Fax no.: 972-8-6584328. The Kibbutz hotel is some distance from the excavation site and from the youth hostel. Transport is not provided.

    Rooms must be vacated early Friday morning. Volunteers wishing to remain at the Field Scholl or Youth Hostel for the weekend have to make arrangements directly at the Youth Hostel reception desk. Those wishing to set up their own tent will participate in the cost of meals. 

    Cost:

    Room per day: a single volunteer in a room $70, two volunteers in a room $45 each, 

    three volunteers in a room $35 each, and four in a room $30 each. Meals:  Breakfast $15, lunch/dinner
    Work hours: From 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

    Registration fee: $35 (non-refundable). Returning volunteers exempt.

    Minimum participation:

    One week
    Application deadline:

    December 27, 2016.
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance and offer proof of doing so.

    Contact: Dr. Gideon Hadas, Fax 972-8-6584384; E-mail: gideonhadas@gmail.com

    Website:

    For more information and application form see our website

     

     

    CENTRAL TIMNA VALLEY (CTV)

    The Central Timna Valley (CTV) Project is a multi-year project of the Institute of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University, focusing on copper production sites in the southern Aravah Valley at the transitional period between the Late Bronze and Iron Ages (1300-800 BCE).

    The excavations are aimed at addressing social, technological and chronological aspects of the ancient copper production industry. Students and volunteers will excavate in two sites: the extensive 10th century BCE smelting site of the "Slaves Hill" (Timna 34), and an Egyptian miners' camp.

    Director: Dr. Erez Ben-Yosef, Tel Aviv University

    Dates: February 2017

    Accommodation: In sleeping bags in a heated tent. Full board.

    Cost for volunteers:

    Variable based on length of stay: $950 for entire field season

    Minimum participation:

    3 days

    Contact: Yitzhak Vassal, centraltimnavalleyproject@gmail.com, or call +972-3-6409427
    Additional phone number: Gali Edelstein, Department of Archaeology and Near Eastern Cultures at TAU - +972-3-6409703
    Website: For more information see website and registration form.
     
     

    SHIKHIN/
    ASOCHIS

    The hilltop village of Shikhin is located a short walk from Sepphoris, the largest city of Hellensitic Galilee. Referred to as Asochis by the historian Josephus, Shikhin was a wealthy Hellenistic production center closely tied to its larger neighbor.

    Excavations since 2012 have revealed that the kilns at Shikhin were producing most known Galilean pottery forms, including oil lamps, and they were doing so at a volume that suggests they produced a surplus for trading. Also uncovered were the remains of Shikhin's previously unknown synagogue.

    Director: Prof. James Riley Strange, Samford University
    Associate Director - Mordechai Aviam, Kinneret Academic College, Israel; Director, Institute for Galilean Archaeology

    Dates: May 20 - June 20

    Accommodation: Hotel Galilee in Nazareth. Shared rooms (singles available at higher cost) with air conditioning, private baths and WiFi.

    Cost for volunteers: $2,750 includes four weeks of room and full board at the Hotel Galilee in Nazareth, in-country transportation, two weekend trips to archaeological sites including the Sea of Galilee and Mediterranean Sea, admission into national parks, additional insurance, and other incidental costs.
    Academic credit: To enroll in one course, $5,300: includes four credit hours of undergraduate tuition through Samford University plus four weeks of room and full board at the Hotel Galilee in Nazareth, in-country transportation, two weekend trips to archaeological sites including the Sea of Galilee and Mediterranean Sea, admission into national parks, additional insurance, and other incidental costs.
    To enroll in two courses: $6,160
    Coursework includes readings, training in the field, lectures three nights a week, and weekend trips to other archaeological sites.

    Work hours: Volunteers will participate both in excavation (ca. 5AM-1PM) and in post-excavation activities such as pottery reading which will be conducted in the afternoon. Lectures three nights a week.

    Recreation: Two weekend trips to other archaeological sites and places of interest. There is usually one free weekend, on which many students take trips to the beach or other sites that they wish to see, and a final, three-day weekend in Jerusalem as an optional trip.

    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance, and offer proof of doing so. All participants must be of sound mind and body, enabling participation in an exerting physical activity, in (occasionally adverse) outdoor conditions. Participants are required to undergo a medical examination prior to the excavation and present a medical doctor's authorization.

    Contact: Prof. James Riley Strange jrstrang@samford.edu
    Department of Religion
    Howard College of Arts and Sciences
    Samford University
    Birmingham, AL 35229
    Phone: (205)726-4543 (office)
    Israeli students should contact Prof. Mordechai Aviam: maviam53@gmail.com

    Website: For more information and application form see: website

     
     

     
    MOUNT ZION The Mount Zion project is an ongoing, multi-year archaeological excavation in the ancient city of Jerusalem that represents a rare opportunity to expose the history of the ancient city in a way beneficial to all cultures and religions that hold it sacred.
     
    The area chosen for archaeological study is situated close to a number of important places in the history of the city, namely the Praetorium where Jesus was tried before Pontius Pilate, and the House of Caiaphas and the other priestly families in the Upper City of Jerusalem in the first century CE. In the Byzantine period, the area was situated at the southern end of the Cardo Maximus, which was a grand columned street and in its vicinity Justinian (mid-6th Century) built a very large church. The crest of Mount Zion was a focus for the building of houses in the Early Islamic Period. The Crusaders and the Ayyubids built their fortifications across the crest of the hill, and in the early 13th century, the local Sultan destroyed the gate-tower, which was located in the area of the excavation. 

    The 2016 season was particularly successful with some spectacular and newsworthy finds that made international news including a Roman era 1st century vaulted chamber associated with the remains of what is thought to be a priestly “mansion” from the time of Jesus. See http://digmountzion.uncc.edu for photos and the news release.
    Directors: Dr. James Tabor, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

    Dates: June 15 - July 8

    Application deadline:

    February 1 2017, rolling admission.

    Academic program:

    Special UNC Charlotte Study Abroad program that runs the first two week session of the dig (June 9-25). Students receive 3 hours credit. Price includes tuition, housing, partial meals, and three days of guided touring with Dr. James Tabor around the country. For more information and application see website.

    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance valid in Israel in advance, and offer proof of doing so.

    Contact: Non-credit volunteers: Mareike Grosser  digmountzion@gmail.com
    Prospective participants are also encouraged to interact on our Facebook group page (anyone can ask to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/digmountzion

    Website: For more information see Mount Zion Archaeological Project website 

     
     
    HORVAT KUR The Kinneret Regional Project is an international archaeological expedition to the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Its academic goal is to explore the cultural history and material heritage of the region with a special focus on the Bronze- and Iron Age city on Tel Kinrot and the Roman-Byzantine village on Horvat Kur. Excavations in 2016 will continue at Horvat Kur, unearthing the village and synagogue.

    Acting Field Directors:

    Prof. Dr. Jürgen K. Zangenberg, Dr. Stefan Münger, Dos. Dr. Raimo Hakola and Prof. Dr. Byron McCane

    Dates: To be announced, June 2017

    Accommodation: Karei Deshe Guest House. Fee includes full board and accommodation in air-conditioned rooms (4-5 persons per room). Weekend accommodation and meals are included.

    Cost:

    TBA

    Academic program:

    ECTS credits can be arranged with the Universities of Bern, Helsinki and Leiden. For more information and application see website.

    Application fee: N/A

    Application deadline:

    February 28, 2017
    Contact: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Zangenberg j.k.zangenberg@hum.leidenuniv.nl

    Website: For more information and application form see Kinneret Regional Project website.
     

    TEL BURNA The site of Tel Burna is located in the Shephelah region, which served as a border between the kingdoms of Judah and Philistia in the Iron Age. A fertile area that supported agricultural production, the region became known as the breadbasket of the south. Previous excavations at Tel Burna have revealed Late Bronze and Iron Age II levels, including the fortifications and a series of silos. They provide the first step in a long-term investigation of the site’s history, particularly stressing its location along the Judean-Philistine border.

    Director: Dr. Itzhaq Shai, Ariel University

    Dates: July 2 - July 28
    Contact: Itzhaq Shai shai.itzick@gmail.com
    Institute of Archaeology, Ariel University
    Telephone: 972-54-4700596

    Website: For more information and registration forms see website.
     
     

    TEL ABEL
    BETH MAACAH

    Abel Beth Maacah is a major tell in the Upper Galilee, at the northern end of the Huleh Valley, just west of Dan, and at the ancient juncture of Aram, Israel and Phoenicia. The site contains remains from the third through first millennia BCE, as well as from the Classical and Medieval periods.

    Dates:

    June 25 - July 21

    Co-Directors: Dr. Robert Mullins, Azusa Pacific University
    Dr. Nava Panitz-Cohen, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

    Accommodation: Kibbutz Kfar Szold. Units accommodate three to four people and are equipped with air conditioning, television, kitchenette, and full bathroom, as well as free wi-fi. Linens and towels are provided.

    Cost:

    The basic cost for a room with kitchenette, toilet and shower that accommodates 3-4 people is $520 per week (7 nights) for full room and board for the first three weeks and $370 for the fourth week (5 nights).

    The weekly cost includes transportation by air conditioned bus to and from the tell each working day and the evening lectures. All other transportation arrangements and costs must be made by the individual team member.

    Double rooms (for two people) (limited availability): $210 per night ($1470 per 7-night week; $1050 for the final 5-night week).

    Returning team members are entitled to a discount: the cost will be $470 per week for the first three weeks and $330 for the final, fourth week.

    Registration deposit: You must pay a deposit of half of the total cost of your accommodations upon registration.
    Work hours: Excavation: 5:30 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. Pottery washing, pottery sorting, and other special projects in the afternoon.

    Academic credit:

    Students may arrange to receive academic credits through the Rothberg International School of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem​. The cost is US$80 for the registration fee and US$120 per academic credit paid directly to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Participants will receive 4 credits for participating during the entire season. Students opting to receive academic credits must fulfill the requirements set by the field school directors (attending all field trips and lectures, tasks in the field and writing of an academic paper relating to the project).

    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance and offer proof of doing so.

    Contact: Dr. Robert Mullins - Volunteer Information
    Prof. Lauren Monroe - Director of educational programming / Field School

    Website and application form:

    Official website

     
    TEL GEZER Tel Gezer guards the western entrance of Jerusalem from the coastal plain. Gezer was continuously occupied from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic Period. It is one of three cities fortified by Solomon (1 Kings 9:16-17).

    Directors:

    Dr. Steven M. Ortiz, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Texas
    Dr. Sam Wolff, Israel Antiquities Authority

    Dates: May 15 - June 9

    Contact:

    Steve Ortiz sortiz@swbts.edu and Sam Wolff sam@israntique.org.il

    Website: For registration details and application form see website.

    TELL ES-SAFI/GATH

    The site of Tell es-Safi/Gath is located in the Shephelah region (the Judean foothills), approximately half way between Jerusalem and Ashkelon. One of the largest archaeological sites in Israel, it is identified as Canaanite and Philistine Gath, Medieval Blanche Garde, and modern Tell es-Safi. During biblical times this was one of the five major cities of the Philistines, the home of Goliath and Achish according to the biblical text. As of 1996, a team of archaeologists, led by Prof. Aren M. Maeir of Bar-Ilan University initiated a long-term project at the site. Excavations have uncovered impressive remains, including the worlds earliest known siege system, rich finds from the Bronze and Iron Age periods, Philistine temples, inscriptions and art, and evidence of the destruction of the city of Gath by Hazael, king of Aram Damascus, as mentioned in II Kings 12.

    In the upcoming 2017 season, we plan to continue to excavate levels dating to these various
    phases, with particular emphasis on the Early and Late Bronze Ages, and various stages of the
    Iron Age, both in the upper and lower city. We will be excavating in several areas of the tell,
    and we expect to have a wide range of fascinating, and in fact, groundbreaking finds.

    Director: Prof. Aren Maeir, Institute of Archaeology, Bar Ilan University

    Dates: July 2 - July 28

    Accommodation: Hotel at Neve Shalom

    Contact: Prof. Aren M. Maeir, Institute of Archaeology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, ISRAEL
    TEL: +972-54-6205082; FAX: +972-3-635-4941
    E-mail: maeira@mail.biu.ac.il; aren@maeir.com

    Website: For more information and registration forms see: gath.wordpress.com

     
    KHIRBET EL-EIKA

    Khirbet el-Eika is situated on a high isolated mountain overlooking the Arbel Valley and the ancient route that led from the sea of Galilee (7 km) to central Galilee and from there to the Mediterranean coast (40 km).

    The location of the site and its topographic and fortified nature may indicate the site had some administrative role of controlling the surrounding agricultural production. A dramatic destruction (ca. mid-2nd c. BCE) apparently brought about the end of its settlement, and the rich assemblages of artif acts found in the destruction layer provide an unparalleled window into the material culture of Hellenistic Galilee.

    Dates:

    July 2 - July 27

    Director: Dr. Uzi Leibner. Hebrew University of Jerusalem

    Cost:

    $420-$550 per work week depending on room standard and duration of participation. A work week is from Sunday night through Friday afternoon. Prices include full room and board, participation in the excavations, field trips and lectures.

    Lectures and tours: Volunteers are provided with field trips to nearby sites as well as lectures on topics related to the research prompting this excavation.

    Academic credit: Students may arrange to receive academic credits through the Rothberg International School of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (and transfer the credits to their home institution). The payment for receiving academic credits should be made directly to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Students opting to receive academic credits must fulfill the requirements set by the field school directors (attending all field trips and lectures, tasks in the field and writing of an academic paper relating to the project).

    To apply for earning academic credits for participation in this archaeological field school, students must contact the Rothberg International School directly.
    Minimum age:

    18
    Minimum participation:

    One week for volunteers
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance and offer proof of doing so.

    Contact:

    Contact: Roi Sabar, Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mt Scopus, Jerusalem 91905, Israel.
    Tel: +972 528282963
    Email: roisabar@gmail.com

    Website and application forms:

    See website

     

    HIPPOS (SUSSITA)

    The ancient city of Hippos, one of the Decapolis, was erected upon the plateau of Sussita Mountain overlooking the Sea of Galilee which stretches west of it. The Hippos dig is one of the main Classical Period excavations being conducted during last decade in Israel.

    During the upcoming season we plan on excavating the following areas:
    • The Roman-Byzantine Bathhouse
    • Roman Fortifcations
    • The Decumanus Maximus

    Director: Dr. Michael Eisenberg, University of Haifa

    Dates: September 3 - September 13

    Accommodation:  Kibbutz Ein-Gev by the shores of the Sea of Galilee, about 5 min. drive from the site. The kibbutz is a 20-min. drive from Tiberias and 1.2 hr. from Haifa.

    Cost:

    Cost for 2 weeks including Room and Board: €1,100/$1,220 (may be paid in your own currency). Full payment by 31 May.

    (10% discount on the total sum for those registering and paying the registration fee or full participation fee until the 31st of January 2017.)

    › Tuition Fee for 2 Credits: $200

    Registration fee: €202/$220, payable no later than April 20th 2017. This fee is a part of the price mentioned above, and will be deducted from total cost of participants.

    Work hours: Excavation (Sunday-Thursday): 05:00-12:00, with additional work assignments and lectures in the afternoon and evenings.

    Insurance: It is mandatory for each participant to provide proof of full medical insurance covering all aspects of illness or possible injury.

    Contact: Dr. Michael Eisenberg, Co-Director, Hippos (Sussita) Project, Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel
    Tel. 972-4-8249392; Fax: 972-4-8249876
    E-mail: hippos@research.haifa.ac.il

    Website: For registration details and application form http://hippos.haifa.ac.il/

     

    KURSI BEACH

    Located 1 km northwest of Kursi National Park within the Kursi Beach Nature Reserve, it is commonly believed that this was the settlement of Kurshi mentioned in the Talmud, or the “Land of the Gadarenes,” or “Land of the Gergesenes” mentioned in the New Testament as the place where Jesus cast out demons into a herd of pigs (Matthew 8:28:  Mark 5:1: Luke 8:25: Luke 8:27:). A very large harbor was identified and in the 2015 its breakwater was mostly exposed.

    Dates:

    Oct 15 - Nov 30

    Director:

    Dr. Haim Cohen, University of Haifa Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies and the Hatter Laboratory

    Accommodation:

    Kibbutz Ein Gev on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in air-conditioned rooms, including weekends (3 meals a day, 2-4 per room).

    Cost:

    US$600 per week. Includes room and board from Sunday morning including weekends, travel to and from the site, field trips (1 per week), lectures, and all dig-related activities. Double/single rooms available for additional fee.

    Work hours:

    Sunday-Thursday: Field work 7:00-16:00.

    Insurance:

    Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance, and offer proof of doing so. All participants must be of sound mind and body, enabling participation in an exerting physical activity, in (occasionally adverse) outdoor conditions. Participants are required to undergo a medical examination prior to the excavation and present a medical doctor's authorization.

    Contact:

    Dr. Cohen Haim, University of Haifa. Tel: + 972 505 677994, email: tkbe2015@gmail.com

    Website and application forms:

    See official website and application forms.

     

     

    Israel Antiquities Authority

    The Israel Antiquities Authority's Department of Education and Information is responsible for educational programs in archaeology and heritage preservation. The department runs three centers for archaeology, offering tours, workshops, activities, enrichment courses and opportunities to participate in excavations.

    For information on volunteer opportunities available at the IAA, contact Mrs. Meyrav Shay, tel. 972-2-6204679, 972-52-4284408.

    Volunteers from abroad should also prepare a photocopy of their insurance policy. 

    Download IAA volunteer form