Volunteer Information
Dear Prospective Volunteer,
I would like to invite you to join Sam and me as fellow excavators at Tel Gezer. All that is required of volunteers is the desire to work hard and participate in new experiences. No previous excavation experience is required; in fact, a majority of excavation volunteers are not even archaeology students.
The Project consists of three components. The main component is the actual field excavation. This process involves several tasks such as hauling buckets of dirt, using picks and hoes, and small detailed work with trowels, brushes, and dental tools. It is important that you be in excellent health and able to work in hot weather. The work is dusty and you will sweat. Each volunteer works with an excavation team under the direction of an area supervisor, so the tasks are equally shared. Each area supervisor assists in the daily teaching and demonstration of archaeological method and theory. Other components include academic lectures and weekend study tours.
Daily Schedule
Most excavations in Israel start at daylight and excavate until the early afternoon to avoid the hot afternoons. Excavations at the site will occur early morning (about 5:00 am) until 12:30 pm. Students and staff will have a wake up call in camp. There will be a light breakfast available before travel to the site (coffee, tea, bread, jam). After the morning excavation session there will be a large break for the main breakfast (8:30 am). Excavations will continue with a fruit break at 11:00 am. Excavations will resume until 12:30.
At the hotel volunteers will have lunch, shower and free time. In the afternoon, the academic session will continue with lab work in camp (pottery washing, processing of material culture, etc.), and a lecture by a member of our staff or a guest scholar. Dinner and free time will follow the afternoon lecture. Our work week will be from Monday morning through Friday afternoon. The weekends (Friday p.m.-Sunday) will consist of field trips (mandatory for those taking academic credit).
Accommodations and Meals
Volunteers sleep in air-conditioned suites, four to a suite. Each suite is self-contained with its own bathroom, television, telephone. Clean linens and towels will be provided daily. Two breakfasts will be provided on the Tel and at base camp. Lunch and dinner meals will be prepared by the hotel and served in the hotel dining room. There is free wireless internet available in the hotel lobby.
Length of Stay/Room and Board/Costs
Volunteers are encouraged to join the project for the full five weeks of the excavation season. There are a limited number of spots available, and these will be reserved for those students who can participate for the full season. However it is possible to arrange for a minimum two week stay upon approval by the project directors. The cost for the full five weeks is $1825. Additional costs include round trip airfare to Israel, tuition, and a $500 field trip fee.
Group Flight:
The group flight now leaves from New York on June 12th (Friday) arriving in Tel Aviv on June 13th (Saturday). The flight is $1825.00 plus taxes, airport fees. Those volunteers taking the group flight will be transported from the airport to the hotel. The return flight leaves Israel on Friday. The excavation project will transport volunteers from the hotel to the airport. Please contact the project's travel agent to reserve your seat on this flight. Our travel agent can also arrange for other travel plans.
Delta 086 June 12th New York/Tel Aviv (2110-1445) [(9:10 pm /2:45 pm)
Delta 087 July 16/17 Tel Aviv/New York (0040-0605) [12:40 am July 24th/6:05 am]
Delta 086 June 12th New York/Tel Aviv (2025-1455) [(8:25 pm /2:55 pm)
Delta 087 July 16/17 Tel Aviv/New York (0040-0645) [12:40 am July 24th/6:45 am]
Lisa Anserlain
Village Travel Agency
11 Kent Street Ste R
Brookline, MA 02445
Phone: 617-738-5500
Fax: 617-738-1664
Email: LISA@villagetravel.net
Website: www.villagetravel.net
Academic Credit
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.
Application Deadlines and Payment Schedule
Application Deadline and $500.00 Deposit due Feb 25th.
Final Payment Due May 15.
Safety in Israel/Foreign Travel
As with any foreign travel, students should be concerned with their safety and protection. Students on the project are almost always in a group setting. Recent events illustrate the tensions that are present in the region, unfortunately, media reports usually focus on the violence distorting the day to day living of most of the inhabitants. Kibbutz Ravadim and Tel Gezer are located in safe regions. Foreigners in Israel are not the prime targets for acts of terrorism. The project does not assume a ‘hands off’ approach to the political situation but takes every necessary precaution for the safety of the project particpants.
Details of the project can be found throughout the webpage. Please do not hesitate to contact either of the project directors for additional information or inquiries. We look forward to having you join us this summer.
Steve Ortiz and Sam Wolff