The site of Apollonia-Arsuf is located on the Mediterranean coast in the centre of Israel , just a few kilometers north of Tel Aviv. The location is ideal for those seeking a 'working holiday', being close to all the attractions that Tel Aviv ("the city that never sleeps") has to offer, and right next to beautiful beaches. The 2012 season of excavations at Apollonia-Arsuf will run from August 6th to 31st. We are looking for volunteers interested in helping us to uncover some of the secrets of the past. Previous experience on an archaeological dig is obviously desirable, but certainly not essential. The minimum age for volunteers is 16 years. There is no maximum and the dig is open to anybody in good health.
You may join us for the whole season, or for a minimum of a one-week session, preferably two. For most volunteers, one week is barely enough to get into the swing of things, and then as you really start to get involved, it is almost time to leave!
In order to keep the cost as economical as possible, and based on the experience of previous seasons and the expressed preferences of most volunteers, we have reduced the fees this year. The participation fee will be US$ 500 per week, which includes hotel accommodation, breakfast and lunch on working days, breakfast on weekends, daily transportation to and from the excavation site, on-the-job training and occasional afternoon lectures. It does not include transportation to and from Israel, or airport transfers to and from the Tadmor Hotel in Herzliya, where the expedition will be based.
Note that your participation fee does not include evening meals nor lunches on weekends. There are several restaurants and opportunities for self-catering in the immediate vicinity of the hotel and numerous others of all standards just a short bus ride away.
Registration is now in progress. We ask you to read carefully the Terms & Conditions as set out in the application form, and then forward it to our volunteer coordinator, Ilan Shachar. Your application will be processed and you will receive written confirmation when it has been accepted.
Schedule
The excavation week begins on Mondays and ends on Fridays.
Daily timetable:
7:00 am – 10:00 am: Field work
10:00 am – 10:30 am: Breakfast on site
10:30 am – 14:00 pm: Field work
14:00 pm – 14:45 pm: Lunch on site
14:45 pm – 17:00 pm: Occasional lectures on subjects of general interest and/or pottery sorting workshop (when required, according to quantity of finds)
From 17:00 pm: Free time
Tadmor Hotel
You will be staying at the Tadmor Hotel, which is located within a 3 minute drive/15 minute walk from the excavation site. This is a basic tourist-class hotel, fully air-conditioned, with a swimming pool and all the usual facilities. The hotel provides a safe for valuables; you are strongly advised not to leave laptops or other items of value unattended in the guest rooms. Volunteers will be accommodated two or three to a room. Breakfast and lunch will be taken at the excavation site, breakfast on weekends will be taken at the hotel.
How to get to the Tadmor Hotel: By private car or taxi – take the main Tel Aviv – Haifa road (Highway Nr. 2) to the Kfar Shmaryahu junction, turn left (west) onto Keren Ha-Yesod Street, turn left at Ha-Eshel Street and left again at Basel Street.
By bus – various buses stop at the Kfar Shmaryahu junction, including Nr. 601 from Tel Aviv, from where the hotel is an easy 10 minute walk.
Address: Tadmor Hotel, 38 Basel Street, Herzliya 46660, Tel: +972-9-9525051/00, Fax: +972-9-9525012
Arrival and Departure
We ask you to arrange your travel plans so as to arrive at the Tadmor Hotel on the Sunday before your session starts, which is on one of the Sundays August 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, no earlier than 2:00 pm and no later than 9:00 pm. You must check out before 11:00 am on the Saturday immediately following the end of your session.
Working in the Field under the Middle-East Sun
We will erect screen netting that provides a degree of shade, but the sun is strong and you will be spending several hours each day in the field. You should provide yourselves with suitable, comfortable working clothes, strong shoes (not open sandals), hat, sunglasses, and skin protection (sun block). We will provide work gloves. It is essential to drink water continuously, in order to prevent dehydration. We will provide cold water during the time spent in the field, but personal water bottles are also recommended.
First Aid Kit
There is a first aid kit on the premises for first aid only. In case of an emergency please inform one of our staff.
Recreation
The excavation site is located right on the seashore. However for logistic and safety reasons, use of the beach is not permitted during meal breaks or before the end of the daily work schedule (17:00 pm).
Weekends
During the weekends (Friday afternoon – Sunday evening) you can stay and relax at the hotel, or you may make other plans. If you plan to spend a weekend away from the hotel, please inform us in advance. We would advise you not to hitchhike in Israel. Though this may still be a common way for young people to travel in Europe, it is not recommended to use this form of transportation in Israel.
Additional Information
If you have any other questions before your arrival, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Ilan Shachar.
Application
Click here for an online application form |
