Archaeological Excavations in Israel 2011
Israeli Missions Around The World MFA Israel Experience History Archaeological Excavations in Israel 2011

Archaeological Excavations in Israel 2011

  • 10/11/2011
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    Bar-Ilan archaeologists uncover Philistine temple at Biblical Gath (July 2010)
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    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. All charges listed are in US dollars. 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.

     


    EXCAVATIONS 2011
    (Listed by starting date)
    This is a preliminary list. Additional digs will be added as the information becomes available.

    Ein Gedi January 3-27
    Khirbet el-Maqatir May 21 - June 4
    Bethsaida May 22 - June 4; June 12-25
    Tiberias May 22 - June 17
    Ashkelon June 5 - July 15
    Zeitah June 6-30
    Kfar HaHoresh June 6 - July 22
    Tzuba June 10-25
    Tel Burna June 12-30
    Khirbet Qeiyafa June 12 - July 22
    Tel Gezer June 13 - July 15
    Wadi Hamam June 13 - July 15
    Tel Hazor June 19 - July 8; July 10-29
    Tel Kabri June 19 - July 28
    Tel Dor June 28 - Aug 5
    Tell es-Safi/Gath

    July 3-29

    Tell Azekah July 15 - Aug 24
    Hippos (Sussita) July 3-30
    Yavneh Yam July 18 - August 12
    Ein Qashish July 31 - Aug 31
    Nahal Mahanayeem Outlet Aug 28 - Sept 23
    Ein Gedi January 2-26, 2012

     

     
    EIN GEDI Ein Gedi is an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, more then 400 m. below sea level. Fresh water springs flow there and have made permanent settlement that lived on irrigation agriculture. The expedition is looking forward to combining the site of the Ancient Synagogue of Ein Gedi with the excavations of the Byzantine village. The expedition also intends to continue looking for the magnificent Hasmonean or Herodian palace awaiting discovery somewhere in Ein Gedi.
    Director: Dr. Gideon Hadas, Kibbutz Ein Gedi. The expedition operates under the auspices of the Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 
    Dates: Jan 3-27
    Accommodation: Ein Gedi youth hostel, 5 people per room.
    Those wishing to set up their own tent will participate in the cost of meals +.
    Accommodation can also be arranged at the Ein Gedi Kibbutz Guest House - eg@ein-gedi.org.il,
    Tel: 972-8-6594222; Fax: 972-8-6584328
    The Kibbutz Guest House is some distance from the excavation site and from the evening activities in the youth hostel. Transport is not normally provided.
    Work hours: Fieldwork is conducted from Mondays through Thursdays, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
    Evening lectures and slide shows about the history and archaeology of the area.
    Cost: Youth hostel: $345 room and board per 5-day week (Sunday afternoon 14.00, till Friday morning, 10.00)
    Registration fee: $35 (non-refundable). Returning volunteers exempt.
    Minimum participation: One week
    Application deadline: Dec 1, 2010
    Recreation: Touring in Ein Gedi nature reserve, swimming in the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi hot spring spa.
    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 website
     
    KHIRBET EL-MAQATIR The location of the city of Ai mentioned in Joshua 7-8 has long been a matter of mystery and controversy. Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir have uncovered topography, fortifications and pottery that strongly suggest this site as a candidate for the site of the enigmatic city that the Biblical narrative recounts as having been conquered by Joshua’s army.
    Directors: Prof. Bryant G. Wood, University of Toronto, for the Associates for Biblical Research.
    Dates: May 21 - June 4
    Accommodation: Yad Hashmonah
    Cost: $2,299 (no tour, own flight, double occupancy). Partial trips can be priced on an individual basis.
    Registration fee: $200 deposit
    Minimum participation: None
    Application  deadline: April 29, 2011
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance valid in Israel in advance, and offer proof of doing so.
    Contact:

    Henry B. Smith, Jr.
    Associates for Biblical Research
    P.O. Box 144
    Akron, PA 17501
    Phone: 1-800-430-0008
    Fax: 1-717-859-3393
    hsmith@BibleArchaeology.org

    Website: For more information and application form see ABR website
     
    BETHSAIDA Bethsaida, situated on the north Sea of Galilee was founded in the10th century BCE as the capital city of the biblical kingdom of Geshur. During the Time of Jesus Bethsaida served as the birthplace of three Apostles Peter, Andrew and Philip and a place where Jesus performed many miracles, it is one of the most frequently mentioned towns in the New Testament.
    Directors: Prof. Rami Arav, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Prof. Richard Freund, University of Hartford
    Dates: The excavation is divided into two sessions:
    Session 1:  May 22 - June 4  
    June 5-11 break due to Shavuot holiday
    Session 2:  June 12-25
    Accommodation: Ginosar Inn on Kibbutz Ginosar, on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee
    Cost: From $603 to $1107 per week, according to type of accommodation.
    Registration fee: $200 deposit
    Minimum participation: One week
    Application  deadline: March 12, 2011 for Session 1; March 26, 2011 for Session 2
    Work days:

    Monday-Friday
    5:30am - 12:30 pm: Fieldwork
    4:30 pm - 6:30 pm: Lab work and pottery
    8:00pm - 9:00pmL Lecture

    Recreation: Kibbutz Ginosar is located right on the Sea of Galilee, and there is also a swimming pool on the kibbutz. Weekend tours are arranged throughout the season (for an additional charge).
    Insurance: All participants must have health insurance that covers international travel to Israel. Volunteers are encouraged to seek additional traveler's and flight insurance.
    Contact: Bethsaida Excavations Project
    University of Nebraska at Omaha
    International Studies and Programs
    Omaha , NE 68182-0227
    Tel. 402/554-4986; 402/554-3108
    Fax: 402/554-3681
    Email: rarav@mail.unomaha.edu or streynolds@mail.unomaha.edu
    Website: For more information and application form see: http://www.unomaha.edu/bethsaida/
     
    TIBERIAS

    Several excavations have been conducted in Tiberias during the past fifty years, uncovering finds from the Calcholithic through the Ottoman periods. A new excavation project began in Tiberias in March 2009 dealing with a colonnaded structure in the heart of the ancient city, recently been shown to be not a market but a congregational mosque dating from the Early Islamic period. Special finds to date include: a mosaic floor, Arabic inscriptions, complete oil lamps and hundreds of coins, all of great importance in dating the site's phases.

    Director: Dr. Katia Cytryn-Silverman, Hebrew University
    Dates:

    May 22 - June 17. First half season (May 22 - June 3); Second half season (June 4-17)

    Accommodation: The expedition will be staying at the Aviv Hotel, a 10 minute walk from the site along the promenade of the Sea of Galilee, and a five minute walk from the city center of modern Tiberias. All rooms have a private bathroom, TV, air-conditioning and a balcony; there is also free Wi-Fi access in the hotel lobby. Single and double rooms are available, as are camping options.
    Cost:

    Half season - Hotel $1350; campsite $250. Full season - Hotel $2550; campsite $425. Prices include full room and board from Sunday evening check in through Friday morning check out from the hotel as well as all excavation related activities, field trips and lectures.
    Special discounts will be given to: Students (particularly of archaeology and related disciplines), returning volunteers and two people sharing a room. Full payment due by May 1.

    Registration fee: $100 (non-refundable)
    Work hours: Workdays: Monday-Friday. Excavation - 6:00-13:30. Afternoons will include fieldtrips and pottery workshops, with lectures at the hotel in the evening.
    Minimum stay: One week
    Recreation: You will be close to all the tourist attractions in Tiberias: the Sea of Galilee, Tiberias Hot Springs, and the Promenade with its restaurants and pubs.
    Insurance: All volunteers must carry proof of an internationally valid health/accident insurance policy during their stay at the excavation and in Israel.
    Contact: For further information about program content, contact: Shulamit Miller at: tiberiasexcavation@yahoo.com.
    Website: For registration details and application form see website.
     
    ASHKELON From the Canaanite era (2000-1200 B.C.), Ashkelon is the oldest and largest seaport known in Israel. The current excavations involve both the discovery of new material and the advanced curation of all material excavated since 1985, including the detailed analysis of Iron I pottery, Persian pottery, and Middle Bronze Age pottery alongside the ongoing registration and analysis of new finds.
    Co-Directors: Lawrence E. Stager, Dorot Professor of the Archaeology of Israel, Harvard University;
    Daniel Master, Associate Professor of Archaeology at Wheaton College
    Dates: June 5 - July 15
    Half season participation is possible but credit is only offered to full season participants
    Session 1: June 5-25
    Session 2: June 25 - July 15
    Accommodation: Dan Gardens Hotel - rooms shared by four persons.
    Cost for volunteers:

    Full season: $2900; half season: $1450
    (may be revised)
    Includes full room and board seven days a week.

    Academic program:

    For Harvard College students, this program counts as one full-year course (8 credits) of degree credit. Harvard Summer School courses and credits are accepted toward degrees at most colleges and universities. Students are advised to obtain transfer credit approval from their home institutions before registering.
    The cost of the program is $5000, plus a nonrefundable $50 application fee. Minimum age 18.
    For more information and application see website.

    Application deadline: April 5, 2011
    Work hours: Sunday-Friday: Excavation - 5:30-1:00;
    Pottery washing - 4:30-6:30 except on Fridays.
    Minimum stay: Half season (three weeks)
    Recreation: Saturdays free. Hotel is located near the beach, has a swimming pool, tennis court, weight room and sauna.
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance valid in Israel in advance, and offer proof of doing so.
    Contact: leonlevyexpeditiontoashkelon@gmail.com 
    Website: For more information and application form see Ashkelon excavation website.
     
    ZEITAH A strategically located "outlying" town, Zeitah (Hebrew "Zayit") lies in the Beth Guvrin Valley, roughly halfway between the Israelite city of Lachish and Tell es Safi (Philistine Gath).
    Work during the 2011 season will focus on Square K20, located on the tell's western summit. Our goal will be to penetrate the previously exposed Hellenistic and Roman deposits in order to reach levels that we can associate with the Assyrian destruction identified in other areas of the site.
    Director: Ron E. Tappy, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
    Dates: June 6-30
    Accommodation: Kibbutz Gal-On - hostel-style rooms, A/C.
    Cost for volunteers: Room and board: $1,225 for the full period.
    Registration fee: US $25 (non-refundable). Applied toward the total cost charged to volunteers accepted for the excavation.
    Application deadline: All application materials accompanied by the application fee are due by May 6, 2011. Early application will give you a better chance of securing a spot.
    Minimum age: 18
    Academic program: Students are encouraged to arrange for credit through their home institution. (a course syllabus is available upon your request). Alternately, you may elect to receive graduate credit through Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS). Tuition through PTS costs about $500 for three quarter units or $1,000 for six quarter units.
    Work hours: Excavation - 5:00-13:00; pottery washing and scheduled lectures in the afternoon and evening.
    Workdays: Monday-Friday.
    Minimum stay: TBA
    Recreation: In past years, the excavation has offered two optional, overnight weekend field trips. Each trip costs an additional $250.
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance, and offer proof of doing so.
    Contact: Dr. Ron E. Tappy, The Zeitah Excavations, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 N. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206-2596
    Tel: 412-441-3304 x2126; Fax: 412-486-0776
    E-mail: tappy@fyi.net
    Website: For more information and application form see: http://www.zeitah.net/
     
    KFAR HAHORESH Kfar HaHoresh is a Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) site located on the southern bank of Nahal Tzvi, a small wadi issuing into the Jezreel valley from the western flanks of the Nazareth Hills in lower Galilee. The excavated areas at Kfar HaHoresh, now totaling 500 sqm, include at least six distinct architectural levels. Numerous human burials have been documented at Kfar HaHoresh. Based on its location, together with the wide range of unusual architectural and mortuary installations and practices on-site ,as well as the varied nature of the material culture remains and their contextual co-associations, Kfar Hahoresh has been interpreted as a mortuary and cult site, likely serving portions of communities in nearby settlements in the lowlands.
    Director:

    Prof. Nigel Goring-Morris, Department of Prehistory, Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University

    Dates: June 6 - July 22
    Accommodation: Participants will share room with two or three other volunteers in a Kibbutz guest house. Food is provided.
    Cost: $500 per week
    Registration fee: $150 (non-refundable) payable by 1 May 2010
    Application deadline: 1 May 2010
    Minimum participation: 3 weeks
    Credit courses: Students participating in the program can receive academic credits through the Rothberg International School, Hebrew University. This entails additional fee of $120 for 1 academic credit point, each equals 1 week of participation. There is an additional $80 application fee.
    Students opting to receive academic credit should state their intent upon registration, and the directions for application to the credit program will be sent by mail, together with confirmation of their acceptance to the dig.
    Field program:

    Participants will take part in the excavations and also play an active role in the preliminary analysis of recovered artifacts. Subjects include: excavation, recovery and recording procedures, as well as field consolidation techniques. 

    Lectures and field trips: Faculty members will give lectures on the Prehistory and Archaeology of the Near East and various specialist topics. It may be possible to arrange field trips to visit other archaeological sites in the area.
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance and offer proof of doing so.
    Contact:

    For an application form or answers to your questions concerning participation, contact either:

    Ms. Michal Birkenfeld
    Department of Prehistory, Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91905, Israel.
    Tel: 00972-2-5882424
    E-mail: Michal.birkenfeld@mail.huji.ac.il
    Fax: 00972-2-5825548

    Prof. Nigel Goring-Morris, Excavation director
    Department of Prehistory, Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91905, Israel.
    Tel: 00972-2-5882424
    E-mail: goring@mscc.huji.ac.il
    Fax: 00972-2-5825548

    Regarding academic credit:

    Keri Rosenbluh, Coordinator of Summer Programs & Special Academic Programs, Division of Undergraduate Studies, Rothberg International School, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    kerir@savion.huji.ac.il

    Website: http://khh.wiki.huji.ac.il/index.php/Main_Page
     
    TZUBA Tzuba is an ancient Israelite town just west of the city of Jerusalem. The two week expedition will involve further excavations at the Cave of John the Baptist as well as uncovering the winepress and its adjacent caves.
    Co-Directors: Professors James D. Tabor and Shimon Gibson - UNC Charlotte
    Dates: June 10-25
    Accommodation: Kibbutz Tzuba hotel guesthouse (room and board)
    Cost:

    $2,650

    Academic program:

    Field school with classes, lectures, and tools provided. No prior archaeological experience is required.
    Both students and non-students are eligible to participate in this program. Students seeking academic credit will receive 3 hours of religious studies credit issued by UNC Charlotte. Any transfer of credit to another U.S. institution must be arranged between the student and his/her home institution.
    Program participants not seeking academic credit will audit the course and are expected to attend all course activities and lectures.

    Application deadline: May 2, 2011
    Application fee: $10.00 non-refundable
    Minimum stay: Two weeks
    Recreation: A weekend tour, guided by Professor Tabor, of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, including Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found as well as Masada, is included.
    Insurance: International health insurance is included in the program cost.
    Contact: Dr. James Tabor - jdtabor@uncc.edu
    Website: For more information see website.
    - Applications for currently enrolled UNC Charlotte students
    - Applications for students not currently enrolled at UNC Charlotte and non-students
     
    TEL BURNA 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 and is believed by some scholars to be a candidate for Biblical Libnah, a Canaanite town that was conquered by Joshua who allotted it to the tribe of Judah. Particular attention will be paid to comparing the finds from Tel Burna with Philistine and Judean material culture, and see how they were affected by their proximity to the Philistines.
    Director: Dr. Itzhaq Shai and Dr. Joe Uziel, Institute of Archaeology, Bar Ilan University
    Dates: June 12-30
    Accommodation: Tourist class hotel with all facilities, close to the site.
    Cost for volunteers: $400 per week.
    Application deadline: May 1, 2011
    Minimum stay: One week
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance, and offer proof of doing so.
    Contact: Itzhaq Shai shai.itzick@gmail.com or
    Joe Uziel joeuziel@gmail.com
    Institute of Archaeology
    Bar Ilan University
    Ramat Gan, Israel, 52900
    Telephone: 011-972-544-70-0596, 011-972-526-427-645
    Website: For more information and application form see: www.telburna.wordpress.com
     
    TEL GEZER Gezer, one of three cities fortified by Solomon, guards the western entrance of Jerusalem from the coastal plain. Gezer was continuously occupied from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic Period. The main goals of the project are to excavate a large horizontal exposure on the south-central part of the tel to excavate a sequence of Iron Age cultural horizons and obtain a obtain a sequence of well-stratified cultural horizons of the Iron Age in order to establish a ceramic database of the Iron Age strata.
    Directors:

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

    Dates: June 13 - July 15
    Accommodation: Air-conditioned suites at Neve Shalom, full room and board. Each suite sleeps four individuals and has one bathroom.
    Cost: $2125 ($1575 for students of consortium schools)
    The price includes room and board, field school and lectures. The price does not include airfare to and from Israel or weekend study tours.
    Weekend Field Trip supplement: $600 (includes transportation, entrance fees, guides, etc. for 10 days of touring on the weekends)
    Registration fee: $500 deposit
    Academic program and credit:

    The Tel Gezer Excavation Project’s academic program contains three components:
    • Evening classroom lectures
    • Field School: archaeological practicum and lab
    • Weekend study-travel.
    Academic credit is available for participating in the project. There are two courses (3 units each) of graduate or undergraduate credit offered through Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, several of our consortium schools also offer credit through their institutions. Tuition is $500 for each three unit course.

    Minimum participation: Preference to volunteers who join the project for the full five weeks of the excavation season. It is possible to arrange for a minimum two week stay upon approval by the project directors.
    Work hours: Monday through Friday: 5:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - excavation. Afternoon - lab work in camp (pottery washing, processing of material culture, etc.), and a lecture.
    Field trips: Weekends field trips at extra cost (Friday p.m.-Sunday) mandatory for those taking academic credit.
    Application deadline: Feb 25, 2011
    Recreation: Swimming pool. Located midway between Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem, Neve Shalom/ Wahat al-Salam overlooks the Ayalon Valley and the Coastal plain. The village is surrounded by olive groves, pine forests and fields. Within walking distance are the Trappist Monastery of Latrun and the Yitzhak Rabin National Park. Excursions can be made to local vineyards, the Sorek stalactite caves, the rich archaeological site at Beth Guvrin, the Hubert Humphrey National Park and more.
    Minimum participation: Preference for full period, minimum two week stay upon approval by the project directors.
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance and offer proof of doing so.
    Contact:

    Dr. Steven M. Ortiz, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary - sortiz@swbts.edu
    Dr. Sam Wolff, Israel Antiquities Authority - sam@israntique.org.il

    Website: For registration details and application form see website.
     
    WADI HAMAM

    Khirbet Wadi Hamam, a Roman-period village, is located in the eastern Lower Galilee above the Wadi Arbel (Hamam) gorge, two kilometers west of the Sea of Galilee. One of the main research objectives of the project is to shed new light on the highly-debated issue of dating “Galilean”-type synagogues.
    In an attempt to gain a picture of rural life in Roman Galilee, excavations are also being carried out in residential and industrial areas of the ancient village. Other research objectives are to expand our understanding of decline processes that affected Galilean settlements.

    Director:

    Dr. Uzi Leibner, Hebrew University Institute of Archaeology

    Dates: June 13 - July 15
    Accommodation:

    The expedition will be staying at the Arbel Holiday Homes run by the Konwitz family at Moshav Arbel (a small village 7 km west of Tiberias). Volunteers will be sharing rooms (2-3 people per room) in wooden cabins (2-4 rooms per cabin). Each cabin is equipped with a private bathroom, kitchenette, A/C, TV and a porch. Additional amenities for the use of the volunteers include: a swimming pool, sauna, a recreation room and free WiFi. Volunteers may stay (for an additional fee) in the cabins over the weekends; reservations should be made in advance directly with the Arbel Holiday Homes: http://www.inisrael.com/arbel/

    Cost: $450-$500 per work week (Sun. evening check in through Fri. morning check out).
    Minimum participation: One week
    Minimum age: 18
    Application deadline:

    1 June 2011

    Registration fee: $50 non-refundable deposit
    Work hours: Arrival at the site and beginning of the excavation at 5:30am. The excavation includes various tasks such as:
    Excavating, filling and emptying wheelbarrows and sand bags, sifting of the soil that is removed from the excavation squares in order to locate coins and other small finds, cleaning for a better resolution of the architecture, and before photography, and pottery washing. The work day in the field concludes at 1:30pm.
    Recreation: After lunch, volunteers have free time in accordance with the afternoon activities, which consist of lectures and field trips to nearby sites. Weekends free.
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance and offer proof of doing so.
    Contact: Shulamit Miller - wadi.hamam@gmail.com
    Website: For more information and application form see: http://archaeology.huji.ac.il/Hamam/Default.aspx
     
    KHIRBET QEIYAFA The archaeological site of Khirbet Qeiyafa is located on the hills that border the Elah Valley on the north. This is a key strategic location in the biblical kingdom of Judah, in the main road from Philistia and the Coastal Plain to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Hebron in the hill country. In this area one of the world's most famous battles took place, the battle between David and Goliath.
    Director:

    Prof. Yosef Garfinkel (Hebrew University); Mr. Saar Ganor (Israel Antiquities Authority)

    Dates: June 12 - July 22
    Accommodation: Bet Meir Hostel, 15 minutes drive from Jerusalem and 25 minutes drive to the site. This is an observant Jewish religious village, and driving is forbidden on the Sabbath. The expedition will stay there from Sunday morning to Friday morning. 4 beds in air-conditioned rooms, with adjacent shower/restroom.
    Cost: $350 per week or $2,000 per season to be paid directly to the hostel upon arrival (credit card).
    Registration fee: $50 registration fee, to be sent with the registration form - please make out a check to the Israel Exploration Society.
    Credit courses: 3 or 6 academic credits can be obtained from the Rothberg International School of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
    The charge is $80 registration fee and $120 per credit. Application form: http://overseas.huji.ac.il/summer_programs
    Work hours:

    Sunday: 13:00-20:00
    Monday-Thursday: 5.00-13.00
    Pottery washing and pottery reading daily 16.30-18.00.

    Lectures and trips: From 18.30 to 19.30 (Monday-Thursday) a lecture illustrated by slides on the archaeology of ancient Israel will be given.
    Once a week there will be a tour to nearby archaeological sites, like Tel Jarnuth, Mareshah, Lachish, Gezer, and the Israel Antiquity Authority storage rooms.
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance and offer proof of doing so.
    Contact: For registration and academic credit inquiries, please contact Prof. Yosef Garfinkel: garfinkel@mscc.huji.ac.il
    Website: For registration details and application form see website.
     
    TEL HAZOR Hazor is a major site in the Galilee, located approximately 5 km. north of Rosh Pina. 
    The population of Hazor in the second millennium BCE is estimated to have been about 20,000, making it the largest and most important city in the entire region, located strategically on the route connecting Egypt and Babylon. The city was rebuilt and fortified by King Solomon and prospered in the days of Ahab and Jeroboam II, until its final destruction by the Assyrians in 732 BCE.
    In this season the levels of the Israelite and Canaanite period will be explored..
    Director:

    Prof. Amnon Ben-Tor, Institute of Archaeology, The Hebrew University

    Dates: June 19 - July 29. The season is divided into two 3-week sessions: June 19 - July 8; July 10-29. Preference will be given to those who apply for the entire 6-week season.
    Accommodation: Kfar HaNassi
    Cost: $1200 per session ($400 per week x 3) or $2200 for those who register for the entire period.
    Registration fee: $75 (of which $50 will be refunded upon arrival at Hazor) by check or money order payable only to: The Israel Exploration Society.
    Credit courses: Students may arrange to receive academic credit (undergraduate or graduate level) through the Rothberg International School. These credit points can be transferred to the student’s home institution. The cost is 80$ for the application fee and 120$ per academic credit point, each equals 1 week of participation (students can get up to 6 credit points for the whole season).
    Students opting to receive academic credit  should state their intent upon registration, and directions for application to the credit program will be sent by mail.
    Work hours: Monday through Friday: 5:00 a.m. to 14:30 p.m. - excavation and pottery washing.
    Lectures: A series of lectures during the week will provide training in field archaeology and the interpretation of finds.
    Recreation: The kibbutz has a swimming pool, basketball and tennis courts. On weekends participants may stay at Kfar HaNassi and relax or travel on their own.
    Minimum age: 18
    Minimum participation: 3 weeks.
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance and offer proof of doing so.
    Contact: Mail the application form + registration fee to:
    Prof. Amnon Ben-Tor
    Institute of Archaeology, The Hebrew University
    Mount Scopus Jerusalem 91905 Israel
    Tel. 972-2-5882403/4 Fax: 972-2-5825548
    For information contact: Dr. Sharon Zuckerman
    Email: hazor@mscc.huji.ac.il
    Website: For registration details and application form see Hazor website.
     
    TEL KABRI Located in a quiet rural setting within the western Galilee, a ten minute ride from the historical town of Acco and the modern resort town of Nahariya, the site of Tel Kabri has what may be the earliest-known Western art yet found in the Eastern Mediterranean. Excavations focus on a palace, dating from the Middle Bronze IIB period during the early second millennium BCE, which contains a floor and wall frescoes painted in an Aegean manner - probably by Cycladic or Minoan artists.
    Co-Directors:

    Assaf Yasur-Landau, Haifa University and Eric H. Cline, George Washington University

    Dates: June 19 - July 28
    Accommodation: Kibbutz Lohame HaGetaot - Rooms are air-conditioned, each with their own telephones, color televisions, and kitchenettes; each fits three-four volunteers. Meals provided during work week.
    Cost: Room and Board: $490 per week
    Session 1 (3 weeks): 19 June - 7 July 2011: $1,470
    Session 2 (3 weeks): 10 - 28 July 2011: $1,470
    Both Sessions (6 weeks): 19 June - 28 July 2008: $2,940.
    Registration fee: $75 (of which $50 will be refunded upon arrival at Hazor) by check or money order payable only to: The Israel Exploration Society.
    Credit courses: Credit courses available - two undergraduate courses @ 3 credits per course; one graduate course / $400.00 per course / University of Haifa
    Work hours: Sunday through Thursday: 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Work on the finds continues between 4-6 pm in the excavation camp. For those who are enrolled in the field school, several afternoons a week will be dedicated to lectures and practice of field techniques.
    Lectures: A series of lectures during the week will provide training in field archaeology and the interpretation of finds.
    Recreation: Kibbutz swimming pool
    Minimum age: 18
    Minimum participation: 3 weeks
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance and offer proof of doing so.
    Contact: Eric H. Cline, Ph.D. - Chair, Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, George Washington University
    Tel: (202) 994-0316, Fax: (202) 994-2156; Email: ehcline@gwu.edu
    Website: For registration details and application form see website.
     
    TEL DOR

    Tel Dor is a major Canaanite-Phoenician-Hellenistic-Roman port on the Mediterranean coast, located in present day Israel between Tel Aviv and Haifa.
    The University of Washington team will continue excavating the impressive and archaeologically-rich Hellenistic and late Persian period buildings on the south side of the Tel (‘Area D4’) - a fascinating complex of large public buildings likely connected with Dor’s focus as a center of coastal Mediterranean trade and industry.

    Dates:

    June 28 - August 5, divided into two half seasons: June 28 - July 15; July 17 - August 5

    Directors: Dr. Ilan Sharon, Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University; Dr. Ayelet Gilboa, Haifa University
    For the University of Washington: Prof. Sarah Culpepper Stroup
    Accommodation: Kfar Galim Youth Village. Student rooms (three to four per room) feature central air conditioning, weekly cleaning service, and large bathrooms.
    Cost:

    Full season 2400 Euro/$3500 (or the equivalent); half season 1500 Euro/$2200 (or the equivalent)

    Registration deposit: $100
    Work hours: Excavation: 5:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. 16:00 - Pottery washing and reading.
    Saturday and Sunday free. Weekend field trips at additional cost.
    Lectures: At 17:00 Monday through Thursday, UW Field School participants attend lectures offered by Israeli, U.S. and international scholars on a variety of topics.
    Hebrew University - afternoon lectures on various aspects of the archaeology, history, and specialized scientific studies of the site and the region.
    Academic credit:

    The University of Washington Tel Dor Field school - Enrollment in the UW Field school brings with it 12 UW credits in Classics 399, NELC (Near Eastern Studies) 399, or Archeology 270. These credits, which are transferable to your home institution, apply only to those enrolling with the UW group.

    The University of Haifa Field school - Consists of 2 parts: Hands-on Archaeology in the Field (3 credits -full season, 2 credits - half-season), and Artifact Processing, Exercises and Lectures/Classes part (3 credits).

    Through the Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Rothberg Field school, in a program administered by Dr. Bloch-Smith, earn 2 credits for a half-season excavation (July 6-July 24) or 4 credits for excavating the full season.

    Recreation: The tree-filled campus provides a swimming pool and outdoor sports facilities.
    Minimum age: 18
    Minimum participation: Two weeks.
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance and offer proof of doing so.
    Contacts:

    Prof. L.Bloch-Smith (bloch-smith@msn.com)
    Prof. S. Stroup (scstroup@u.washington.edu)
    H. Larissa Gerstner (hl.gerstner@arcor.de)
    Jerusalem office (dor-proj@mscc.huji.ac.il)

    Website and application forms:

    Official website: http://dor.huji.ac.il

    Applications:
    - Prof. Bloch-Smith's group, focusing on biblical periods and archaeological method and theory. Members of this group may apply for credits at the University of Haifa Fieldschool or HUJ-Rothberg field school. Please apply here.
    - The University of Washington Tel Dor Excavations and Field school. For further information and application, visit the UW Tel Dor website or apply on-line.
    - German-speaking group. For information please contact H. Larissa Gerstner at: hl.gerstner@arcor.de, phone in Germany: 0761-23068, or go directly to registration pages in German.
    - Individuals not interested in joining any of the above groups may apply directly to the Dor office in Jerusalem: http://dor.huji.ac.il/registration.html

     
    TELL ES-SAFI/GATH Tell es-Safi, identified as Canaanite and Philistine Gath (home of biblical Goliath!) and Medieval "Blanche Garde," is one of the largest pre-classical sites in the Levant, settled continuously from late Prehistoric through Modern times. Since 1996, excavations at the site have revealed fascinating and groundbreaking finds, including the earliest known siege system in the world, the earliest deciphered Philistine inscription, and extremely rich and well-preserved evidence of various cultures, peoples, and historical events, spanning some six millennia of occupation.
    In the upcoming 2011 season, we plan to continue to excavate levels dating to these various phases, with particular emphasis on the Early, Middle, and Late Bronze Ages, and various stages of the Iron Age.
    Director: Prof. Aren Maeir
    Dates: July 3-29
    Accommodation: Kibbutz Revadim. Air-conditioned rooms, 4-6 per room; single and double rooms available at extra charge, subject to availability. If you are interested in staying on the kibbutz for the weekend, an additional payment is required.
    Cost for volunteers: US$400 per week (Sunday afternoon - Friday morning), or US$1550 for entire 4 weeks. Includes room and board (kosher food), including weekends, transportation to and from the site during excavation, and various dig-related activities.
    Registration fee: US$50 (non-refundable).
    Application deadline: May 1, 2011
    Academic program: A field school in field archaeology will provide university credits (from Bar-Ilan University): 3 credits for 2 weeks ($500 additional payment) or 6 credits for 4 weeks ($1000 additional payment).
    An academic field school in archaeological science will also be held in conjunction with the excavation. Students interested should contact Dr. Elisabetta Boaretto (elisa@wisemail.weizmann.ac.il).
    Work hours: Excavation - 6:00-1:00; afternoon - various excavation related processes (such as pottery reading) and occasional tours and lectures.
    Workdays: Sunday afternoon - Friday afternoon.
    Minimum age: 16. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have the consent of their parents/legal guardians.
    Minimum stay: 2 weeks
    Recreation: Field trips; kibbutz pool.
    Lecture/class: Twice a week, in evenings.
    Insurance: Applicants must have medical authorization and health insurance (valid in Israel!) and complete medical form.
    Contact: Prof. Aren M. Maeir, The Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, ISRAEL
    TEL: +972-3-531-8299; FAX: +972-3-635-4941
    E-mail: maeira@mail.biu.ac.il; aren@maeir.com
    Website: For more information and registration package see: http://faculty.biu.ac.il/~maeira or www.dig-gath.org
     
    TELL AZEKAH The Lautenschl?ger Azekah Expedition is part of the regional Ellah Valley project, which includes a regional survey and excavations of Tell Azekah.
    Director: Prof. Oded Lipschits
    Dates: July 15 - Aug 24
    Accommodation: Nes-Harim guest house - fully air conditioned wooden cabins - full board (Sunday-Friday).
    Cost for volunteers:

    US$460 per week (Sunday afternoon - Friday morning). Includes academic lectures, bus-service, evening tours, afternoon archaeological programs and social activities.

    Academic program:

    Students interested in academic credits can join one or more of the three academic courses:
    - Archaeology and History of the Judean Lowland: Canaanites, Philistines, and Judahites (July 15 - Aug 3)
    - Archaeological fieldwork - theory and methods: two sessions (July 15 - Aug 3 ; Aug 5-24)
    - Theological aspects of archaeological work (Aug 5-24)

    Work hours:

    Sunday: 13:00 - Complimentary bus leaving from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem central stations
    15:30-19:30 - Short digging session
    Monday-Thursday: Excavation - 5:15-13:00; afternoon sessions and pottery washing - 16:30-19:00 .
    Friday: Excavation - 5:00-10:45.

    Minimum stay: One week
    Recreation: Weekend tours to other parts of Israel (with an additional fee)
    Insurance: Applicants must have medical authorization and health insurance (valid in Israel!) and complete medical form.
    Contact: Project administrator, Omer Sergi
    Website: For more information and registration package see website
     
    HIPPOS (SUSSITA) Hippos (Sussita), one of two cities of the Decapolis located in Israel, is located on the eastern shore of Tiberias Lake, a short distance from Kibbutz Ein-Gev.
    This season's plans: Excavate early Roman period basilica, early Roman period odeion, excavation and preservation of the northeast insula, continue excavation of the Roman-Byzantine bath and forum.
    Director: Prof. Arthur Segal & Dr. Michael Eisenberg, University of Haifa
    Dates: July 3-30. The season is divided into 4 weekly sessions. Preference will be given to those who apply for the entire season.
    Accommodation: Volunteers will be lodged at the youth hostel and flats at Kibbutz Ein-Gev, 2-4 per room, on the shore of Tiberias Lake. Full board, a/c.
    Cost: 455 Euro per full week (Sun-Sat) or 1612 Euro for the entire season (including weekends).
    Registration fee: 80 Euro (nonrefundable) in personal or bank check. Fee 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.
    Recreation: Guided tours; on weekends participants may relax or travel on their own or enjoy on the shore of the Tiberias Lake.
    Minimum age: 16
    Minimum participation: One working week (Sunday-Thursday). Preference will be given to those who apply for the entire season.
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance and offer proof of doing so.
    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/
     
    YAVNEH-YAM The coastal site of Yavneh-Yam (Jamneia-on-the-Sea) is located approximately equidistant between Jaffa and Ashdod. It was occupied from the Late Bronze Period till the Middle Ages. The main archaeological evidence revealed by the first five seasons of excavations carried out at Yavneh-Yam belong to the Persian, Hellenistic, Early Roman, Byzantine and Early Islamic periods, covering a span of more than 15 centuries (6th century BCE - 11th century CE).
    Director: Prof. Moshe Fischer, Department of Classical Studies, Tel Aviv University
    Dates: July 18 - Aug 12
    Accommodation: Ayanot Youth Village; air-conditioned rooms, 3-4 persons to a room.
    Cost for volunteers:

    One week: $500. Two weeks: $950. Three weeks: $1400. Four weeks: $1900 (full season).
    Includes accommodation, all meals, on-the-job training, evening lectures and organized weekend excursions    .
    For week-end-over-stay at Ayanot Youth Village (from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening) an extra fee of US $ 80 is requested.

    Registration fee: US$75 (non-refundable).
    Work hours: Excavation Monday-Friday 5:00-12:00. Treatment of finds (mainly pottery washing) 16:30-18:30. Evening lectures & other activities 20:00-21:30. Saturday-Sunday free.
    Minimum stay: One week, preferably two consecutive weeks.
    Minimum age: 16
    Recreation: Swimming in the Mediterranean and youth village pool. There will be organized excursions to places of interest in Israel on two or three of the intermediate Sundays.
    Insurance: Volunteers must arrange their own medical and accident insurance in advance, which will be checked on arrival.
    Contact:

    Professor Moshe Fischer, Yavneh-Yam Project
    Department of Archaeology, Tel Aviv University
    Ramat Aviv 69978 ISRAEL
    Email: yavneyam@post.tau.ac.il or fischer@post.tau.ac.il

    Website: For more details and application form see Yavneh-Yam website
     
    EIN QASHISH

    Ein Qashish is an open-air site Middle Paleolithic site located on the bank of the Qishon River, at the eastern piedmont of Mt. Carmel and just opposite of the Bronze Age Tel Qashish. This location is interesting because it is close to many of the major Middle Paleolithic cave sites in northern Israel, in an area where practically no open-air sites have been known before.

    Directors: Prof. Erella Hovers, Ravid Ekshtain, Ariel Malinsky-Buller, Hebrew University
    Dates:

    July 31 - Aug 31

    Accommodation: Lodging will be in air-conditioned rooms in the Oranim College for Education.
    Insurance: All volunteers must carry proof of an internationally valid health/accident insurance policy during their stay at the excavation and in Israel.
    Contact: Ms. Ravid Ekshtain - raravid.ekshtain@mail.huji.ac.il
    Website: For registration details see website.
     
    NAHAL MAHANAYEEM OUTLET

    The Nahal Mahanayeem Outlet is a Mousterian site located at the outlet of the Mahanayeem stream to the Jordan River, some 10 km north of the Sea of Galilee. Numerous animal bones in excellent preservation state were excavated, including the skull and femur of a lion found in-situ in the mud of the Jordan River Bank in 2002. A human (non-Neanderthal) skull fragment was found in one of the piles of dirt dug up by a tractor during the 1999 drainage work. The confirmation of the presence of humans will contribute to the debate over the emergence of modern humans in the Levant and their migration routes out-of-Africa.

    Director: Dr. Gonen Sharon, Hebrew University
    Dates:

    August 28 - Sept 23

    Accommodation: Lodging is at an air-conditioned hostel with swimming pool at Kibbutz Gadot.
    Insurance: All volunteers must carry proof of an internationally valid health/accident insurance policy during their stay at the excavation and in Israel.
    Contact: Dr. Gonen Sharon - gonen.sharon@mail.huji.ac.il
    Website: For registration details see website.
     
    EIN GEDI Ein Gedi is an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, more then 400 m. below sea level. Fresh water springs flow there and have made permanent settlement that lived on irrigation agriculture.
    In January 2012 we intend to reveal a large dwelling house by the synagogue that was partly excavated in the 70's, which may be "Halfi House" mentioned in the synagogue inscription.
    Director: Dr. Gideon Hadas, Kibbutz Ein Gedi. The expedition operates under the auspices of the Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 
    Dates: Jan 2-26, 2012
    Accommodation: Ein Gedi youth hostel, 5 people per room.
    Those wishing to set up their own tent will participate in the cost of meals +.
    Accommodation can also be arranged at the Ein Gedi Kibbutz Guest House - eg@ein-gedi.org.il,
    Tel: 972-8-6594222; Fax: 972-8-6584328
    The Kibbutz Guest House is some distance from the excavation site and from the evening activities in the youth hostel. Transport is not normally provided.
    Work hours: Fieldwork is conducted from Mondays through Thursdays, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
    Evening lectures and slide shows about the history and archaeology of the area.
    Cost:

    Youth hostel: $345 room and board per 5-day week (Sunday afternoon 14.00, till Friday morning, 10.00)
    Volunteers wishing to remain at the Youth Hostel over the weekend will make arrangements to do so at the Youth Hostel reception desk.
    Those wishing to set up their own tent will participate in the cost of meals. Public showers are available at the Ein Gedi beach.

    Registration fee: $35 (non-refundable). Returning volunteers exempt.
    Minimum participation: One week
    Application deadline: Dec 1, 2011
    Recreation: Touring in Ein Gedi nature reserve, swimming in the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi hot spring spa.
    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 website



    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

     
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