Excavation through the Bible at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel
Jerusalem, Israel
Call for Volunteers - August 2010
Dig with Scholars and Volunteers from Around the World
The Ramat Rachel Archaeological Project is a joint project run by Tel Aviv University (Israel) and Heidelberg University (Germany), joining scholars from Israel, Germany, and USA. It is an international, scientific project combining people from all over the world. During the last five years, our team members came from Canada, U.S.A., Argentina, U.K., Norway, Finland, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Tunisia, China, India, Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Greece and other countries. Many team members from these nations, aged 14 to 77, came to simply enjoy a special experience of digging through biblical history at Ramat Rachel.
Others were students, who came to study the history and the archaeology of the region, and received academic credit for doing so. The Ramat Rachel Archaeological project involves more than just excavations. The team members joining us from all over the world undergo rich and transforming experiences, combining archaeological fieldwork, visits to the holy city of Jerusalem, tours in beautiful Israel, academic lectures and many social activities. During the dig, we all live in the four-star hotel at Ramat Rachel, with its fine air conditioned rooms, large pool, sport center, Jacuzzi, sauna, and spa. We enjoy full board accommodations with three meals a day at the hotel’s restaurant, food breaks with coffee and cakes, and an excavation bar providing 24 hours of internet services.
The 2009 excavation season in Ramat Rachel was very successful, and contributed a great deal to our understanding of the history of the site and the history of the land. However, some questions remained unanswered; the excavations in some areas were left unfinished, and while processing the data, we felt that in some points more clarifications were needed. Therefore, we have decided to go back to the site for a short and concentrated season, in order to do some final excavations before concluding the project.
Excavation Season 2010
During this last excavation season of 2010 we will enjoy everyday fieldwork for two weeks. Our plan is to rise early and begin digging as the sun rises over Jerusalem. At 9am we gather for a wonderful Israeli breakfast served on the beautiful hilltop of Ramat Rachel, eating the best food served at a dig and enjoying the breathtaking view of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Afterwards, we continue digging until noon and then gather for a “pottery wash” where we handle pottery, looking for seal impressions and ancient inscriptions. During the afternoons, the volunteers enjoy the hotel facilities, resting at the pool or shopping in Jerusalem. During the afternoons and the evenings we listen to academic lectures, take tours of Jerusalem and its museums, attend discussions of the finds of the day, and celebrate parties in the bar!
Academic Credit
Students interested in academic credits can join our academic course.
Dates
The two-week period of digging extends from August 15th to 28th, 2010.
We will excavate throughout these 14 days, without a break over the weekend.
Participants can register only for the entire period.
Cost
Weekly fee per person, covering full board and use of all hotel facilities - pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, gym, and spa (the latter two for an additional fee) - Hotel lodging (in 4-star facility).
One person in a double room $650
One person in a single room $923
3 persons in one room $601 per person
4 persons in one room $573 per person
One person in a double room -Youth Hostel $538 per person
One person in a single room -Youth Hostel $727
The price includes
Participation in the dig, room and full board (including 3 meals a day at the hotel restaurant and twice a day coffee and cake break), 24-hours coffee-tea and internet services, use of the hotel facilities (as stated above), two academic lectures, evening tours at Jerusalem (including the city museums), afternoon archaeological programs and social activities.
The price does not include
Flights to and from Israel, transportation within Israel, insurance.
Further Information
For more information about the program please contact:
Omer Sergey, Project Administration
omertelaviv@gmail.com
Registration
To register, please download and fill out the APPLICATION FORM.
NB – APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE SENT TO BOTH FOLLOWING ADDRESSES:
omertelaviv@gmail.com
excavation@krr.co.il
For more information about the history and the archaeology of Ramat Rachel please visit the Ramat Rachel Archaeological Project academic website.