Field School at Tell es-Safi /Gath

[uriarch...@gmail.com]

Dr. Krieger personally knows one of the field directors at this site,
Prof Jeff Chadwick, as they were colleagues for years. Feel free to
email Dr. Krieger with any questions about this wonderful opportunity.

-Zach


Dear AegeaNetters,

I would like to draw your attention to a project I have been involved
with for the last 3 years, training University of Melbourne students
as an area supervisor. I have worked on many projects and I have never
worked with a more collegial and friendly group of scholars.

FOLLOW IN THE WAKE OF THE SEA PEOPLES AND 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 Philistine sector of the site has locally produced Mycenaean IIIC
pottery just below the surface. Philistine material culture has many
features associated with Cyprus and the Aegean including the
introduction of hearths, which replace the Canaanite tabun (bread
oven), notched animal scapulae associated with Cypriot culture, ring
rhyta, animal head cups, Aegean style reel-shaped loom-weights, and
Aegean style cooking pots. Working at the site is a chance to study
the emergence of a new cultural group at the interstices of cultural
formations.

In the 2008 season, my team uncovered a new hearth, found the remains
of an imported LH IIIB pyxis, and began investigating several rubbish
deposits containing a mixture of symbolic and ritual objects including
an iron knife, mould for a plaque of Astarte, small basalt mortar and
an assortment of animal bones including pig, sheep, cattle, and fish,
pointing to diacritical feasting activity.

Although the May 1 deadline for registering has passed, registration
will continue for a little while longer and we always welcome
inquiries. This is a great opportunity for students to get experience.

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. Other major finds include: 1) A 9th century BCE destruction
layer with extraordinarily rich remains; 2) An unique siege trench,
dating to the Iron Age; 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
with wi-fi, 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



Dr. Louise A. Hitchcock

Senior Lecturer in Aegean Bronze Age Archaeology
Centre for Classics and Archaeology
Centre for Jewish History and Culture
Research Chair, School of Historical Studies
Old Quadrangle, 127
The University of Melbourne
Parkville, Vic 3010 AUS