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Bethsaida Biblical Archaeology

Join the Dig

Almost anyone can dig at Bethsaida. Work requires various levels of physical conditioning, but there is a job for all ages and ability levels. Work includes digging, sifting dirt, washing pottery and other artifacts, and sorting and cataloguing finds.

Volunteer

JOIN THE DIG

There's plenty of work to do at Bethsaida - anyone can grab a shovel, a pick, or a screen and help uncover Biblical hisory.

Daily schedule

Work days at Bethsaida are Monday through Friday. You can sign up to stay for a week or more - it's up to you. A typical work day looks like this:

5:30 a.m. Daily work begins
9 a.m. Breakfast at the site
1 p.m. Lunch at the kibbutz
4:30 p.m. Lab works "pottery reading"
7 p.m. Dinner
8 p.m. Lecture

Accommodations

Most volunteer excavators stay at the air-conditioned cottages at Nof Ginosar Hotel on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. However, due to the area's development as a tourism destination, some dig sessions stay at the more modest, but still comfortable, Hakuk Balev. When you choose a dig session, the excavations coordinator will tell you which accommodations are available.

Pleae note that all participants must arrange for international health and personal insurance coverage through their own universities and carriers. The participation fee includes a laundry service done once a week. Clinics and a hospital are available in the town of Tiberias, a few miles away from Ginosar.

Cost

Costs for the 2013 dig are as follows:

Tier Day 1 week 2 weeks
Dorm $89 $603 $1,206
Triple $114 $778 $1,556
Double $160 $1,100 $2,220
Single $176 $1,212 $2,424

Note that triple and double room rates are per person. Prices reflect progressive discounts of $20 for each week of participation.

There is a $200 per person deposit required. It is refundable until April 2.

Prices include:

  • Accommodations
  • Breakfast on site and lunch and dinner at the hotel
  • Transportation from the airport one time at the beginning of every session
  • Transportation daily to and from the site