Dear Prospective Volunteer,

I would like to invite you as a fellow excavator at one our our archaeological projects under the Lanier Center for Archaeology. 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.

An Archeological 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 roughly 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

The excavation camp is located at the Neve Shalom hotel. It is ideally situated in in the heartland of Israel, within easy access of the Ben Gurion International Airport, Jerusalem, the coastal plain and scenic and historical sites. Neve Shalom is only 15 minutes from Tel Gezer. 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 and rooms.

Length of Stay/Room and Board/Costs

Volunteers are encouraged to join the project for the full three to four weeks of the excavation season. There are a limited number of spots available, and these will be reserved for those students or volunteers who can participate for the full season. However it is possible to arrange for a minimum stay upon approval by the project directors. There is a cost associated for the full four weeks is $TBD. Additional costs include round trip airfare to Israel, any tuition for academic credit, and a touring fee if desired.

Airline Flight:

If you want to use a travel agent, we can recommend some different agents. You do not have to use our project travel agent, many participants use their own sources or set it up themselves. The project will provide transport from the airport to the accommodations.

Academic Credit

Academic credit may be available for participating in the project. There are two courses (3 units each) of graduate or undergraduate credit offered through Lipscomb University. In addition, several of our consortium schools also offer credit through their institutions. Tuition is $TBD for each three unit course.

Application Deadlines and Payment Schedule

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 28th, 2023

Due to the high volume of interest, the deadline has returned to its original date. If you are interested in volunteering and are unable to complete the application by the given deadline, please contact us to inform us of your interest.

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. Most of our accommodations and excavation areas 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 participants.

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.