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:
http://eingedi.cjb.co.il 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.orgWebsite: 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 orstreynolds@mail.unomaha.eduWebsite: For more information and application form see:http://www.unomaha.edu/bethsaida/
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 seeAshkelon 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.netWebsite: For more information and application form see:http://www.zeitah.net/