Course Highlights
- Excavations in the iconic site of Tel Lachish
- Field school in open air archaeological site
- Visits to nearby archaeological sites
- Lectures on the relationship between bible and archaeology
Archaeological field school at the iconic site of Lachish, a major Canaanite city-state and the second most important city in the Kingdom of Judah. We will concentrate on Level V, dated to ca. 930-860 BC, one of the most enigmatic eras in the history of the Kingdom of Judah. The excavations will concentrate on the fortifications, the city wall and houses abutting the wall from inside the city.
We are expecting an expedition of 35-40 people during the season, students and volunteers. Advanced archaeology students from the Hebrew University will serve as area supervisors, and will guide the volunteers in excavation techniques, documentations, archaeology photographing, and handling archaeological finds. Lectures in the evenings will cover aspects relating to ancient history, archaeology of Tel Lachish, bible and archaeology, and the like.
Structure
The course is organized by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The field school is located at Tel Lachish, Near Kiryat Gath. The expedition will stay in a hostel in a nearby village, three people in a large air-conditioned room, with adjacent restroom and shower.
We will gather on Sunday mornings, getting to the hostel, organize the rooms, have lunch, and will go to the site to excavate during the afternoon and evening. On Mondays-Thursdays we will start the excavations at 5:15 am till 1:00 pm. We will have at the site coffee break, breakfast and watermelon break. Lunch will be served at the hostel, and then a siesta till 4:30 pm. Washing the finds and pottery reading is done in the afternoons, 4:30 to 6:00 pm. We will have lectures on the evenings. The expedition provides full room and board at the site during the excavations, and at the hostel. Volunteers are free for two days on the weekends, from Friday morning to Sunday mornings.
Course Components
Excavations at the ancient site during the day, washing the finds and pottery reading in the afternoons, lectures in the evenings. We will have two fieldtrips to other important biblical sites in the region.
Undergraduate and graduate students; mature learners with an academic background
Apply
You can choose to participate in the excavation for the field experience only, or you can decide to also earn credit from Hebrew University during your participation (and transfer the credits to your home institution). The application process differs according to your choice.
Participation Only
You will apply directly to the field school. Please contact the excavation director, Prof. Yossi Garfinkel for more information on how to apply.
Participation & Academic Credit
In order to apply to earn academic credit for your participation in the archaeological field school, you will complete a three-step process:
- Apply directly to the field school. Please contact the excavation director, Yossi Garfinkel for further details on how to apply
- Attend the excavation and fulfill the academic requirements as determined by the director of your archaeological field school.
- Once you have finished the field school and submitted a research paper, submit an application to HebrewU’s Rothberg International School (RIS) and pay the US$ 120 application fee and the US$ 120 per credit tuition fee.
Contact
We’re happy to answer any questions you might have.
Questions about Tel Lachish Archaeological Field School
For questions about applying directly to the field school – or any questions about the program – please contact Prof. Yossi Garfinkel
Questions about Academic Credit
For questions about applying for academic credit through HebrewU’s RIS, please contact the Office of Summer Courses and Special Programs.
Find More Summer Courses
Please note that HebrewU reserves the right to cancel courses for which there is insufficient registration.
Fast Facts
Course:
Tel Lachish Archaeological Field School
Teaching Faculty:
Prof. Yossi Garfinkel
Language of Instruction:
English
Credits:
3
Program Dates:
July 2 – 20, 2023
Eligibility:
Undergraduate and graduate students; mature learners with an academic background
Application Deadline: April 30, 2023
Costs:
Academic Credit (optional): US$ 120 per credit
Participation and Housing Fee: $550 per week, to be paid upon arrival to the local hostel.
