Fieldschool: Excavations at Tell es-Safi/Gath 2009
1 view
Skip to first unread message
uriarch...@gmail.com
Feb 4, 2009, 11:26:03 PM2/4/09
to URIarchaeology
Dear all,
Now that the region has calmed down, it is a good time to think of
what you, and/or your students will be doing this summer. For those of
you with an Aegean oriented interest, do consider our excavations at
Tell es-Safi/Gath - which have a strong connection with the Aegean
(through the Philistine culture and other aspects).
What could be better than to join our team in the excavations at Tell
es-Safi/Gath? See below - please feel free to pass this on, and if
there are any questions, do contact me directly (contact info below).
Aren Maeir
www.dig-gath.org; gath.wordpress.com
EXCAVATION AND FIELDSCHOOL OPPORTUNITY IN ISRAEL
FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DAVID AND GOLIATH: DIG PHILISTINE GATH -
THE TELL ES-SAFI/GATH ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT
JULY 5 – 31, 2009
THE SITE
Tell es-Safi/Gath (Hebrew Tel Tsafit), Israel, is a commanding mound
located on the border between the Judean foothills (the Shephelah)
and the coastal plain (Philistia), approximately halfway between
Jerusalem and Ashkelon. At about 100 acres in size, it is one of the
largest and most important pre-Classical period archaeological sites
in Israel. Tell es-Safi is identified as Canaanite and Philistine
Gath (known from the Bible as the home of Goliath and Achish) and
Crusader Blanche Garde. The site was inhabited continuously from the
Chalcolithic period (5th millennium BCE) until 1948 CE.
THE PROJECT
Since 1996 a team of archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology
at Bar Ilan University, under the direction of Prof. Aren M. Maeir,
has been digging at Tell es-Safi/Gath. The first 13 years of the
project (1996-2008) have demonstrated the great importance of the
site. Major finds include: 1) A 9th century BCE destruction layer
with extraordinarily rich remains; 2) An unique siege trench, dating
to the Iron Age, that surrounds the site, apparent evidence of an
Aramaic siege of the site (see II Kings 12:18); 3) A rich
stratigraphic sequence covering the Early Bronze II through Modern
times (ca. 26th BCE - 20th century CE); 4) A rich representation of
the material culture of the Philistines, arch-enemies of the biblical-
period Israelites; 5) Fascinating inscriptions from various periods,
including Canaanite, Egyptian and Philistine (including the so-
called "Goliath Inscription").
THE PROGRAM
All able and willing people between 16 and 80 are invited to join us
for a unique and exciting experience uncovering the history and
culture of the Holy Land. In addition to participating in all facets
of the excavation process, participants will be provided with an
opportunity to learn cutting-edge techniques of field archaeology,
gain experience in archaeological science applications (with a unique
program in inter-disciplinary archaeological science in the field),
hear lectures about the archaeology and history of the region and
related issues, and go on field trips to nearby sites of
historical/archaeological and/or contemporary interest. Participants
will join a young, vivacious team comprised of staff, students and
volunteers from Israel and the world-over. Students can earn either 3
or 6 university credits through Bar-Ilan University, the second
largest university in Israel. Accommodations (including kosher food)
will be provided at idyllic Kibbutz Revadim, a short drive from the
site. Rooms (4-6 per room; single and double rooms available at extra
charge) are air-conditioned and there will is to the Kibbutz pool.
And don't forget the weekly, Thursday evening, Bar-B-Q!
WORKDAY (more or less)
6am to 1 pm excavation; Afternoon: various excavation related
processes (such as pottery reading) and occasional tours; Evenings:
occasional lectures.
We work Sunday afternoon to Friday mid-day.
Prices:
Volunteers: US$400 per week, 2 week minimum, or US$1550 for entire 4
weeks (plus US$50 registration fee). Price includes R&B for entire
week, daily transportation to site and back, and various dig-related
activities. Does not include transportation to Israel, and to and
from the Base camp, as well as health and accident insurance.
Students (wishing to receive university credits): In addition to the
R&B, $500 for half program (3 credits) and $1000 for full program (6
credits).
For application forms and further information, please contact:
Prof. Aren M. Maeir
The Institute of Archaeology
The Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and
Archaeology
Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900
ISRAEL
Fax: ++972-3-6354941
Email: maeira@...
Website: www.dig-gath.org
Blog: http://gath.wordpress.com
Now that the region has calmed down, it is a good time to think of
what you, and/or your students will be doing this summer. For those of
you with an Aegean oriented interest, do consider our excavations at
Tell es-Safi/Gath - which have a strong connection with the Aegean
(through the Philistine culture and other aspects).
What could be better than to join our team in the excavations at Tell
es-Safi/Gath? See below - please feel free to pass this on, and if
there are any questions, do contact me directly (contact info below).
Aren Maeir
www.dig-gath.org; gath.wordpress.com
EXCAVATION AND FIELDSCHOOL OPPORTUNITY IN ISRAEL
FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DAVID AND GOLIATH: DIG PHILISTINE GATH -
THE TELL ES-SAFI/GATH ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT
JULY 5 – 31, 2009
THE SITE
Tell es-Safi/Gath (Hebrew Tel Tsafit), Israel, is a commanding mound
located on the border between the Judean foothills (the Shephelah)
and the coastal plain (Philistia), approximately halfway between
Jerusalem and Ashkelon. At about 100 acres in size, it is one of the
largest and most important pre-Classical period archaeological sites
in Israel. Tell es-Safi is identified as Canaanite and Philistine
Gath (known from the Bible as the home of Goliath and Achish) and
Crusader Blanche Garde. The site was inhabited continuously from the
Chalcolithic period (5th millennium BCE) until 1948 CE.
THE PROJECT
Since 1996 a team of archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology
at Bar Ilan University, under the direction of Prof. Aren M. Maeir,
has been digging at Tell es-Safi/Gath. The first 13 years of the
project (1996-2008) have demonstrated the great importance of the
site. Major finds include: 1) A 9th century BCE destruction layer
with extraordinarily rich remains; 2) An unique siege trench, dating
to the Iron Age, that surrounds the site, apparent evidence of an
Aramaic siege of the site (see II Kings 12:18); 3) A rich
stratigraphic sequence covering the Early Bronze II through Modern
times (ca. 26th BCE - 20th century CE); 4) A rich representation of
the material culture of the Philistines, arch-enemies of the biblical-
period Israelites; 5) Fascinating inscriptions from various periods,
including Canaanite, Egyptian and Philistine (including the so-
called "Goliath Inscription").
THE PROGRAM
All able and willing people between 16 and 80 are invited to join us
for a unique and exciting experience uncovering the history and
culture of the Holy Land. In addition to participating in all facets
of the excavation process, participants will be provided with an
opportunity to learn cutting-edge techniques of field archaeology,
gain experience in archaeological science applications (with a unique
program in inter-disciplinary archaeological science in the field),
hear lectures about the archaeology and history of the region and
related issues, and go on field trips to nearby sites of
historical/archaeological and/or contemporary interest. Participants
will join a young, vivacious team comprised of staff, students and
volunteers from Israel and the world-over. Students can earn either 3
or 6 university credits through Bar-Ilan University, the second
largest university in Israel. Accommodations (including kosher food)
will be provided at idyllic Kibbutz Revadim, a short drive from the
site. Rooms (4-6 per room; single and double rooms available at extra
charge) are air-conditioned and there will is to the Kibbutz pool.
And don't forget the weekly, Thursday evening, Bar-B-Q!
WORKDAY (more or less)
6am to 1 pm excavation; Afternoon: various excavation related
processes (such as pottery reading) and occasional tours; Evenings:
occasional lectures.
We work Sunday afternoon to Friday mid-day.
Prices:
Volunteers: US$400 per week, 2 week minimum, or US$1550 for entire 4
weeks (plus US$50 registration fee). Price includes R&B for entire
week, daily transportation to site and back, and various dig-related
activities. Does not include transportation to Israel, and to and
from the Base camp, as well as health and accident insurance.
Students (wishing to receive university credits): In addition to the
R&B, $500 for half program (3 credits) and $1000 for full program (6
credits).
For application forms and further information, please contact:
Prof. Aren M. Maeir
The Institute of Archaeology
The Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and
Archaeology
Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900
ISRAEL
Fax: ++972-3-6354941
Email: maeira@...
Website: www.dig-gath.org
Blog: http://gath.wordpress.com
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages