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VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

As co-directors we want to welcome you to experience The Fourth Expedition to Lachish. All that is required of volunteers is the desire to work hard and participate in new adventures. No previous excavation experience is required; in fact, a majority of excavation volunteers are not even archaeology students.

The Expedition consists of three components. First, 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 a square supervisor, so the tasks are equally shared. Each square supervisor assists in the daily teaching and demonstration of archaeological method and theory. The second and third components include academic lectures and weekend study tours, respectively.

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 a.m.) until 1:00 p.m. Students and staff will have a wake-up call in camp. After two hours of work there will be a short break for tea and croissants at 7:00 a.m. After the morning excavation session there will be a large break for the main breakfast (9:00 a.m.). Excavations will continue with a fruit break at 11:00 a.m. Excavations will resume until 1:00 p.m.

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 evening lecture. Our work week will be from Sunday afternoon through Thursday afternoon. The weekends (Friday a.m.–Sunday a.m.) will either involve organized touring or free time to explore the country.