Yavneh-Yam Archaeological
Project
Information
for Participants in the Yavneh-Yam Excavation, 2011
July 18th
- August 12th, 2011
General Information
The 2011 season of
excavations at Yavneh-Yam will run from July 18th to August 12th. We are
looking to recruit volunteers interested in a 'working holiday', 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 that feels capable
of manual work in the field.
You may join us for the whole season, or
for a minimum of a one-week session, preferably two. Experience has taught
us that, 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!
The participation fee is $500 per week, which
includes accommodation, all meals, daily transportation to and from the excavation
site, on-the-job training, evening lectures and organized weekend
excursions. It does not include transportation to and from Israel,
or transfers to and from the Ayanot Youth Village, where the expedition will be
based. For week-end-over-stay at Ayanot Youth Village (from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening) an extra fee of US $ 80 is requested. This should be arranged 2-3 days before the weekend in order to prepare the Youth Village staff.
Those participating for three weeks or more will benefit from a 5%
discount.
Registration is now in progress. We ask you to read
carefully the terms and conditions as set out in the application form, and
then forward it to us, Professor Moshe Fischer, at the following e-mail address: yavneyam@post.tau.ac.il.
Your application will be processed and you will receive written confirmation
when it has been accepted.
Ayanot
Village
We'd like to give you some important information
about your participation in the excavation and your stay at the Ayanot
Youth Village, which is a 15 minute drive from the excavation site. Ayanot is situated approximately 20 kms south of Tel
Aviv, along road No. 42, between Rishon Lezion and Yavneh.
You can
reach Ayanot either by taxi or by public transport (there is a bus stop in
front of the main gate of Ayanot Village). There are buses to and from Tel Aviv via Rishon Lezion. The line numbers are 310 and 178.
The buses run every 20 minutes. From Tel Aviv you can reach all parts of the country. 
Click to zoom Arrival
We ask you
to arrange your travel plans so as to arrive at Ayanot the day your
session starts,
which is on one of the Sundays (July 17, 24, 31 or August 7), no earlier than 2 pm and no later than 10 pm.
Working in the
field under the Near 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.
Board and
Accommodations
You will be staying in the Ayanot dorms in
air-conditioned rooms for 3-4 people, each room with toilet and
shower. Bed linen is provided, but you should bring your own towels.
There is a refrigerator in the clubroom, which you can use for storing
perishables.
Meals (kosher kitchen) will be served as follows: Breakfast: will be
brought to the site.
Lunch: will be served at the Ayanot dining room,
between 1:00-2:00 pm
Dinner: will be served at the Ayanot dining room,
between 7:00-7:30 pm
In addition, an afternoon snack will be
provided at your accommodation.
Daily Schedule
(Mondays through Fridays)
4:20-4:50
am .................... Wake-up and facilities for self-service hot drinks 4:50 am ............................. Transportation to the site 5:00 am ............................. Work starts 9:00-9:30 am .................... Breakfast 12:00 ................................... Work finishes 1:00-2:00 pm .................... Lunch 2:00-4:30
pm ................... Rest period 4:30-6:30 pm .................
Treatment of finds (mainly pottery washing) - Not Fridays 7:00 pm ............................ Dinner 8:00 -10:00 pm ............... Lectures, other
activities
First Aid Kit
There is a first aid kit on the premises for first
aid only. In case of and emergency please inform one of our
staff.
Recreation
The excavation site is located right on the seashore. However for logistic and safety
reasons, bathing is not permitted during meal breaks or at the end of the daily work
session (12:00 noon). Ayanot Youth Village is located inland, several kilometers
from the beach. We will organize transport back to the beach one or two afternoons a
week for those willing to sacrifice their rest period (2:00 - 4:30 pm), but participation
in pottery treatment sessions (4:30 - 6:30 pm) is obligatory. Those wishing to make
independent arrangements to visit the beach, local restaurants, bars, etc. can hire taxis,
subject to the obligations of the daily work schedule.
Internet
Internet access from the Ayanot Youth Village is not always available, but several
local cafes provide access for those owning laptops with Wi-Fi capability.
Weekends and Excursions
During
the weekends (Friday afternoon - Sunday evening) you can stay and relax at
Ayanot (for en extra fee of US $ 80 for those 2 days), or you may make private plans. In any case, please inform us a few days in advance. There will be
organized excursions to places of interest in Israel on two or three of
the intermediate Sundays (July 24th, July 31th and/or August 6th). Further
information will be provided on your arrival.
Very Important !!!
You
are going to be spending the next weeks in Israel and you must appreciate
the importance of informing us if you leave the Ayanot village. Although
this area of the country is as safe as can be, the situation being
as it is in Israel requires us to be doubly safe and it is important that
we know your whereabouts. We would also 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.
Please also note that the Ayanot Youth Village has a
security guard on the main gate and that this gate closes at
MIDNIGHT!
Additional
Information
If you have
any other questions before your arrival, please contact us directly at
yavneyam@post.tau.ac.il or at
fischer@post.tau.ac.il. During the excavation, please do not
hesitate to contact our director, Professor Moshe Fischer,
or any of our
staff.
Address
and Tel. & Fax of Ayanot
Address: The Ayanot
Agricultural
School
D.N.
Emeq Soreq
70490
ISRAEL
Telephone: 08-9404655; 08-9404635; 08-9404682; 08-9405558
Fax:
08-9404785
For mail, telephone and fax please mention always:
Yavneh-Yam Group/Moshe Fischer.
There are also several public
phones in the Ayanot village. They can be used with telecards. These can
be purchased on arrival at our
office.
Click to download a printable application form 
Mail to:
Professor Moshe Fischer
Yavneh-Yam Project
Department of Archaeology
Tel Aviv University
Ramat Aviv 69978
ISRAEL
EMAIL: fischer@post.tau.ac.il
(2) --
Send an online application
form (Secure Server)
We wish you an enjoyable
stay in Israel and a successful
excavation.
The
Yavneh-Yam Project |
|