Field School on Archaeological Science – Israel

Call for applicants for participation in the course“Field school on archaeological science”(For students who are registered in universities outside Israel)

The course “Field school on archaeological science” is offered by The Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology, Bar-Ilan University, and the Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel.  Registered students will participate in the excavation of the Biblical site Tell es-Safi, identified with Philistine Gath.

http://gath.wordpress.com/2007/11/04/field-school-in-archaeological-science-at-tell-es-safi/

The purpose of the course is to expose the students to interdisciplinary research that involves archaeology and the natural sciences, in the field. The students will experience interactive work that combines excavation and analysis of materials using an on-site laboratory.

http://www.biu.ac.il/JS/le/Programs/Archaeological_Science_english.htm

The course will emphasize the inter-connection between laboratory analyses and the archaeological context, and will include fieldwork, laboratory work, and lectures.

Applicants with little or no archaeological experience must participate in one week of excavations at Tell es-Safi/Gath between July 6th and 11th, 2008. An option for participation in a supervised one week project at the site is available between July 20th and 25th, 2008 upon confirmation with the course organizers.

Course organizers and their fields of expertise: Prof. Steve Weiner (WIS): mineralogical analyses, phytoliths, site formation processes, Dr. Elisabetta Boaretto (BIU and WIS): radiocarbon dating, materials analysis, Dr. Ehud Weiss (BIU and WIS): paleoethnobotany, Dr. Ruth Shahack-Gross (BIU and WIS): geoarchaeology, micromorphology

Applications are limited for students from third year undergraduates through Masters and doctoral studies.

The best 10 students will be selected. Applications should include one paragraph explaining why the student is interested in participating in this course, CV, list of grades and two names of referees, and sent no later than March 1st 2008 to: Dr. Ruth Shahack-GrossKimmel Center for Archaeological ScienceWeizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100 Israel E-mail: Ruth.Shahack@Weizmann.ac.il

Dates: 13 – 18 July 2008

Cost:  $350 per week

Academic credit cost:  $200 (worth 2 US academic credits)

Accommodation and food will be supplied by the excavation organizers at Kibbutz Revadim.

The Kimmel Center will cover the costs for two weeks for the most qualified student (one scholarship only).