Life on a Dig
Embedded Files
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 22)
The project begins the afternoon of Sunday, June 22nd, 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 22nd, though we recommend that you try arrive on either June 20th or 21st to give yourself some time to acclimate. HOWEVER, you will not be able to check in at the kibbutz guest house until the afternoon of June 22nd.
Week 1 (June 23-27)
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
On Friday, we will return to the kibbutz guest house only to pick up our weekend bags and then we will all head to our individual destinations for the weekend
Week 2 (June 29-July 4)
Check back into the kibbutz guest house on the afternoon of Sunday, June 29th
Second full week of excavation
Refer to the daily schedule
Weekly field trip TBD
On Friday, we will return to the kibbutz guest house only to pick up our weekend bags and then we will all head to our individual destinations for the weekend
Week 3 (July 6-11)
Check back into the kibbutz guest house on the afternoon of Sunday, July 6th
Third full week of excavation
Refer to the daily schedule
Weekly field trip TBD
On Friday, we will return to the kibbutz guest house only to pick up our weekend bags and then we will all head to our individual destinations for the weekend
Week 4 (July 13-18)
Check back into the kibbutz guest house on the afternoon of Sunday, July 13th
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, Thursday at the earliest
You do need to still leave the kibbutz guest house by Friday morning so be sure to plan accordingly
Early morning arrival
Early morning arrival
Second breakfast
Second breakfast
Pottery washing and reading
Pottery washing and reading
Daily Schedule
This is the average daily schedule for the work week while on the dig. It is subject to change, as necessary.
Sunday Afternoon/Evening:
Afternoon Arrive at the kibbutz, get rooms and settle in, possible pottery washing, and free time
(4:30 PM First Sunday, 6/22, there may be a tel tour)
7:00 PM Dinner
(8:00 PM First Sunday, 6/22, orientation lecture)
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 kibbutz guest house
1:30 PM Lunch (eave the kibbutz 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 kibbutz guest house
1:00 PM Leave the kibbutz
Bathrooms at the Site
The excavation takes place out in the country, with no permanent bathroom facilities in place or nearby. 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 season on site.
If you are comfortable with it, you can also stay closer to the top of the hill and find a bush/tree to use as your bathroom site. The project provides toilet paper for anyone wanting to do this option.
If you have any stomach issues, we suggest you stay at the kibbutz guest house so you can have a decent bathroom nearby. If you feel up to it, you can work on processing finds while at the kibbutz during the work day.
Kibbutz Guest House
During the work week (Sunday afternoon through Friday morning), we stay at a guest house at the Kibbutz Netiv HaLammed Heh. The kibbutz is located right beside the biblical Socoh in the Elah Valley, where the biblical text indicates that David fought Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-2). The kibbutz is a short drive away from the town of Beth Shemesh and about a half-hour away from Jerusalem.
The guest house is located in one area of the kibbutz and consists of rooms, a dining room, a multi-use area, and several outdoor seating areas. The rooms were either built or renovated in 2019.
Standard lodgings are 4-6 people per room. Rooms usually include 1-2 bunk beds, 2 normal beds, a TV, its own A/C unit, and a bathroom.
Some rooms have a mini fridge and hot water kettle. There is also a communal fridge for those who have food or medications that they need to store (just be sure to put your name on your items). Space can be limited and so priority is given to the project and medications, but any space beyond that is up for grabs. There is also a TV, microwave, sink, and hot/cold water dispenser in the same communal area as the fridge.
Finally, there is also a filtered cold water fountain that is perfect for filling up water bottles.
Store Days
We are fortunate that there is a small grocery store located on the kibbutz! You can find most of your food and incidental needs here and they take credit card and cash.
The store is within walking distance of the guest house so you can go any time it's open, but we also can usually arrange for you to get a ride to the store on the way back from the tel or maybe during free time.
Sometimes, your car might also stop by the gas station on the way back from the tel, which also has a convenience store where you can buy drinks and snacks.
Finally, if you stay in Jerusalem on the weekends, you can also always visit the many stores around there.
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