Project Schedule

This is the estimated schedule for the entire season, though changes will be made as necessary all the way up to when we are already in the field.

Arrival (June 27)

• The project begins the afternoon of Sunday, June 27th, with check-in, preparation for the first day of excavation, and an orientation lecture.

• As such, you should arrive in the country no later than the morning of June 27th, though we recommend that you try arrive on either June 25th or 26th to give yourself some time to acclimate. HOWEVER, you will not be able to check in at the accommodations until the afternoon of June 27th.

Week 1 (June 28-July 2)

• First full week of excavation, starting Monday.

• The week will begin with setting up the equipment and excavation areas, which will include weeding and clearing areas.

• The daily schedule, listed below, will go into effect starting Monday.

• Weekly field trip is TBD.

Week 2 (July 5-9)

• Second full week of excavation.

• Refer to the daily schedule. 

• Weekly field trip TBD.

Week 3 (July 12-16)

• Third full week of excavation.

• Refer to the daily schedule.

• Weekly field trip TBD.

Week 4 (July 19-23)

• Weekly field trip TBD.

• The first half of the week will be spent in the field, finishing up any necessary excavations and closing up the dig through finishing paperwork, sweeping, taking pictures, putting away equipment, and doing any necessary conservation. We usually finish this process on Wednesday of the final week, Thursday at the latest.

• At our base camp, the entire week will be spent finishing processing all the finds, packing up all the project's supplies and equipment, and moving all said supplies, finds, and equipment back to Ariel University. We also try to finish this process on Wednesday or Thursday of this final week.

• For those who are still around during the final week when we take everything back to Ariel University, we will try to give them a tour of the archaeological lab on Ariel's campus.

Departure

• Due to the nature of the final week, we suggest that you plan to fly out on Friday or Thursday at the earliest.

• You do need to still leave the accommodations by Friday morning so be sure to plan accordingly.

Daily Schedule

This is the average daily schedule for the work week while on the dig. It is subject to change, as necessary.

Monday-Thursday

5:05 AM Optional Shacharit prayer service (the Jewish morning prayer); coffee/tea ad cookies for first breakfast (or whatever you purchase for yourself)

5:20 AM Leave for the tel

5:45 AM Start excavations

9:00 AM Second breakfast provided on top of the tel

9:30 AM Resume excavations

11:00 AM Fruit break provided on top of the tel

11:15 AM Resume excavations

12:45 PM Excavations end and we head back downhill to the cars and head back to the accommodations

1:30 PM Lunch (leave the hotel on Fridays)

2:30 PM Pottery washing until done (everyone must participate) and pottery reading

4:00 PM Free time, if pottery washing is done, though you can also participate in the processing of finds (this free time may start earlier or later depending on when pottery washing finishes)

6:00 PM Lecture

7:00 PM Dinner

8:00 PM Free time

Usually on Mondays, we try to schedule a field trip to another site in the nearby area, which will replace the daily lecture. Here is the average afternoon schedule for those days but it changes as needed:

1:30 PM Lunch

2:30 PM Pottery washing (everyone must participate) and pottery reading

3:30 PM Leave for field trip

6:30 PM Return from field trip and free time

7:00 PM Dinner

8:00 PM Free time

Friday

5:05 AM Optional Shacharit prayer service (the Jewish morning prayer); coffee/tea ad cookies for first breakfast (or whatever you purchase for yourself)

5:20 AM Leave for the tel

5:45 AM Start excavations

9:00 AM Second breakfast provided on top of the tel

9:30 AM Resume excavations

11:00 AM Excavations end and fruit break provided on top of the tel

11:15 AM Tel Tour

12:00 PM Excavations end and we head back downhill to the cars and head back to the accommodations

12:30 PM Free time or leave for the Weekend Tours for those who have added that option

Saturday

Free time at the accommodations, though there are opportunities to participate in the processing of finds. Everyone is responsible for their own meals.

Alternatively, one may choose to join the Weekend Tours leaving on Friday at an additional cost. See Weekend Tours for more information.

Sunday

Free time at the accommodations, though there are opportunities to participate in the processing of finds. Everyone is responsbile for their own breakfast and lunch.

Alternatively, one may choose to join the Weekend Tours leaving on Friday at an additional cost. See Weekend Tours for more information.

7:00 PM Dinner

Bathrooms at the Site

The excavation takes place at a new national park, with no permanent bathroom facilities in place. We try to arrange for port-a-potties to be brought to the site, but we are not certain if this will work out due it being our first open season on site.

There are several stores across from the site with available bathrooms, though it is about a 10-minute walk from the eastern edge of the tel.

Otherwise, will work out the best way to deal with bathroom needs with the Israeli National Parks Authority and will let you all know what the process is during orientation and this website will be updated once we know what works best.

If you have any stomach issues, we suggest you stay at the hotel so you can have a decent bathroom nearby. If you feel up to it, you can work on processing finds while at the hotel during the work day.

Accommodations

We stay at Kfar Silver, a youth village and educational boarding school located near Ashkelon. We take over the dormitories after the school year is over. 

There will likely be 2-6 people per room depending on the room. 

More information coming soon.

Store Days

As we are staying at these accommodations for the first time, we are still exploring the area and the store options available.

However, rest assured that we will make sure everyone has access to a store at least once a week.