Dates
The eleventh season will last 4 weeks, from July 4th - 31st 2010.
Each week is considered one session; Preference will be given to those applying for the entire season.
Accommodation (not final yet)
Volunteers will be lodged at the youth hostel and flats at Kibbutz Ein-Gev (changes may occur, with updates in advance of the excavation), on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, about 2 kilometers from the site. The kibbutz is a 20-minute drive from Tiberias and 50 minutes from Haifa.
About 2 - 4 occupants per room. Due to space limitations, married couples are not promised to share a single room.
All rooms are air conditioned and laundry services are provided free of charge.
Your Excavation Mailing Address [From Europe, mail takes about 5 days; from the US is about 7 days]
(Your Name)
Archaeological Expedition
Youth Hostel
Kibbutz Ein Gev 14940
Israel
Emergency/Informational Contacts while in Israel
052-8699835 Michael Eisenberg (Cell)
or
054-5658162 Efrat (from Kibbutz; Cell)
Program Schedule
Work Hours are 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, with additional work assignments in the afternoons and evenings.
Participants are free on weekends to relax or travel on their own, or enjoy the shore of Sea of Galilee.
Participants must be at Kibbutz Ein-Gev on the evening before the first working day.
Daily Schedule
Beginning July 4th, work will proceed according to the following schedule, Sunday through Thursday:
| 4:20 |
Wake-up |
| 5:00 |
Work begins |
| 8:30 |
Breakfast |
| 9:00 |
Return to
work |
| 12:00 |
End of
field work |
| 12:45 |
Lunch |
| 14:00 |
Rest and optional swimming at the private beach of Kibbutz Ein-Gev |
| 16:00 - 18:00 |
Afternoon activities: Processing finds (mainly pottery) and lectures. |
| 18:30 |
Dinner |
All excavators are expected to respect and follow basic rules and regulations.
|
The program is rewarding but demanding. The hours are long and the sun is hot and bright. Anyone lacking the energy and enthusiasm to benefit from four weeks of hard work and enjoyment should not apply. |
Recommended Equipment
Work Clothing (for the field):
Bring things that are sturdy, light in weight and color, and easy to launder. As the sun is very intense, you may need to wear long sleeves and pants (best if pants cover the shoes). Remember that loose clothing is more comfortable than close-fitting, and synthetic fibers tend to be hot.
Work Shoes:These are a must!
Shoes should be strong, with high ankles, and comfortable, provided with solid traction soles for protection and footing on rocks (work area is rocky basalt). Sneakers or sandals are not permitted (at work) at all!
UV-protection:
- Sun Hat or Head Covering - You will not be permitted in the field without it!
- Sunscreen and sunglasses are also recommended.
If you wish to enjoy the site's beach on Tiberias Lake, please bring a bathing suit and towels.
Casual Clothing (for after work and weekends)
Getting to Israel and to the Kibbutz
Landing in Israel:
You'll be landing in Ben-Gurion International Airport, located not far from Tel-Aviv. You may wish to spend a day or two there before arriving at the Kibbutz. You will find the new terminal very aesthetic and easy to navigate.
Getting to the Kibbutz:
There are several ways to get from Ben-Gurion to the Kibbutz (about a 3 hr. drive); keep in mind that public transportation during Shabbat (from Friday noon to Saturday evening) is limited. The price for bus and public taxi is controlled, and not very high. Shekels can be obtained at the Hapoalim Bank counter inside the terminal near the exit.
* Please note that you should get to the parking lot of Kibbutz Ein-Gev and not to the Ein-Gev Resort (they are located 2 km. from each other). Once in the Kibbutz parking lot, the guard at the gate will assist to find us. You can phone us or just see us wandering around. Efrat, a Kibbutz member, is taking care of us on behalf of the Kibbutz. It's a small community so it's very hard to get lost!
BUS:
Egged is Israel's main intercity bus company (see link for rates and schedule).
Click FROM - Tel Aviv Central Bus Station; TO - Ein Gev – Branch.
Friday Arrival: Only one direct bus from Tel Aviv to the Kibbutz - Line 843 Departing at 12:15 (3.06 hr. drive)
SaturdayArrival: Only one direct bus - Line 843 Departing at 20:30
COST: 47 Shekels (bus drivers only accept shekels)
- Direct buses travel from Tel Aviv Central Bus Station to the Kibbutz
- Buses from Tel Aviv to Tiberias depart about every 30 min. (until Shabbat begins). From Tiberias to the Kibbutz, there is a bus about every hour, which is about a 20 min. drive.
- One may travel through Haifa and Tiberias
TRAIN: Located just adjacent to the terminal; the train can take you to Haifa, but not Tiberias or the Kibbutz. For train schedules check Israil.
TAXI: Taxi service is located just outside Ben-Gurion Terminal.
PUBLIC TAXI: Public Taxi (10-passengerxis, called Sherut, around 50 shekels)
Optional Routes:
- Train or bus and from there by bus to Tiberias and then the Kibbutz
* If traveling in a group, consider ordering a special group taxi (sherut) directly to the Kibbutz. If you contact us in advance, we can organize this (driver will meet you holding a sign with your name) at a cheaper rate than catching one on arrival.
Don't hesitate to send your flight schedule and we will advise you. We usually order a few public taxis (at our expense) on Friday and Saturday prior to the first working week.
Cost & Application Procedure (Minimum of 1 Week!)
One Week of Volunteering - 350 Euro
Full Season (4.07 - 31.07.10) - 1240 Euro (may be paid in your own currency)
This cost includes full board and lodging in Kibbutz Ein-Gev on the shore of the Sea of Galilee in air-conditioned rooms.
Full payment no later than May 15th 2010.
Participants should complete and submit the Application Form. You are asked to send a registration fee of 80 Euro following application (Note: Must be by check or money order payable to: University of Haifa).
This fee is a part of the price mentioned above, and will be deducted from your total cost. The fee should be received not later than the 1st of May.
Registration Fee is Non-Refundable!
After completing the application, please mail registration fee to:
Dr. Michael Eisenberg
Hippos Excavation Project
Zinman Institute of Archaeology
University of Haifa
Mt. Carmel, Haifa 31905
Israel
Tel: +972-4-8249392 Dr. Eisenberg
Fax: +972-4-8249876
All payments should be made by personal or bank check ONLY and in the applicant's national currency (e.g. US in $, Europeans in Euros etc.).
* Mandatory for each participant to provide proof of full medical insurance covering all aspects of illness or possible injury.
