Excavation Schedule and Costs
Update, 12 November 2009:
There is still room on the second session (in July), but due to the amazing response from potential team members, we cannot guarantee that there will be room on the first session (in June) for those who register from now on. There is still plenty of room on the second session, so feel free to sign up for that now. Those who request the first session will go on a waiting list and might get lucky. Alternatively, one can sign up for the second session but request to be wait-listed for the first session. We are also trying to get more rooms available for the first session and will update this website again if we succeed. Please keep checking back and in the meantime, feel free to apply for either the second session or for the entire season!
The Megiddo Expedition’s 2010 Excavation Season
| Session | Duration | Dates | Cost | Returnees | Consortium Students |
| Session 1 | 3 weeks | 12th June – 1st July | $1300 | $1200 | $1100 |
| Session 2 | 4 weeks | 3rd July – 29th July | $1750 | $1600 | $1450 |
| Both Sessions | 7 weeks | 12th June – 29th July | $2600 | $2400 | $2200 |
Important Note: the above prices are subject to adjustment if there is a significant change in the shekel/dollar exchange rate. European and British students may pay their fees in sterling or euros, but must write for confirmation re the exact amount before paying. Full payment is due no later than five months after the initial deposit is sent and, in any event, no later than 15 April 2010. Checks should be made out to “The Megiddo Expedition – Tel Aviv University.”
Daily Schedule:
Work on the tel commences each week on Sunday morning and ends Thursday afternoon. Three meals a day are provided on workdays. Weekend accommodation is included in the Expedition fee but meals are not provided (see ‘What about Grub?’). Team Members are free to stay on the Kibbutz and enjoy the facilities or leave camp on Thursday and return on Saturday evening.
Daily work on the tel and in the camp begins at 5:00 AM and finishes by 1:00 PM. It resumes in camp at 4:00 PM with the processing of finds, a requirement for all Team Members.
| 04:20 | Your alarm clock should ring! |
| 04:45 | Bus to the tel, carrying required equipment |
| 05:00-08:30 | Work on site |
| 08:30-09:00 | Buffet breakfast at picnic tables on site |
| 09:00-11:00 | Work on site |
| 11:00-11:15 | Break |
| 11:15-12:50 | Work resumes |
| 12:50 | Collect and store tools: remove pottery and other finds to base camp |
| 13:00-14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00-16:00 | Rest/Recreation |
| 16:00-18:00 | Work at base camp: processing finds, pottery reading, related activities |
| 18:00-19:00 | Lecture Program (as needed) |
| 19:00-20:00 | Supper |
| 20:00-21:00 | Lecture Program (as needed) |
| 21:00- | Leisure Activities and Sleep! |
Most afternoons and evenings include pottery reading and lectures. Please note that the schedules may change slightly due to extenuating circumstances.
Project Calendar
Week 1
Saturday, 12 June
14:00 A Complimentary bus departs for the Kibbutz from Ben Gurion Airportand the Tel Aviv North Bus Station (Arlozorov). This departure time is tentative and may be changed depending upon flight arrival times.
15:00-17:00 Team Members arrive
19:00 Supper
20:00 Receive area assignments, meet your Area Supervisor
Sunday, 13 June
Excavation begins
(see above Daily Schedule)
Monday, 14 June – Wednesday, 16 June
As above.
Thursday, 17 June
Day 5 of the Excavation
Free weekend begins in the afternoon for Team Members. Relax by the Kibbutz pool or explore Israel.
Week 2
Saturday, 19 June
All Team Members should be back on site by early evening.
Sunday, 20 June
Excavation begins again.
Monday, 21 June – Wednesday, 23 June
As above.
Thursday, 24 June
Day 10 of the Excavation
Free weekend begins in the afternoon for Team Members not enrolled in the Education program
Friday, 25 June
Full day Study Tour to other archaeological sites currently being excavated for all enrolled in the education program. Free time after tour to relax or travel.
Week 3 (last week of the 1st Session)
Saturday, 26 June
Team Members should be back on site by early evening
Sunday, 27 June
Excavation begins again.
Monday, 28 June – Wednesday, 30 June
As above.
Thursday, 01 July
Day 15 of the Excavation
The first session ends
First session participants leave Thursday pm.
Free weekend begins in the afternoon for all 7 week Team Members
Week 4 (1st week of the 2nd Session)
Saturday, 03 July
14:00 A Complimentary bus departs for the Kibbutz from Ben Gurion Airportand the Tel Aviv North Bus Station (Arlozorov). This departure time is tentative and may be changed depending upon flight arrival times.
15:00-17:00 Second Session Team Members arrive
19:00 Supper
20:00 New Team Members receive area assignments, meet Area Supervisors
Veteran Team Members should be back on site by early evening
Sunday, 04 July
Excavation begins again.
Monday, 03 July – Wednesday, 05 July
As above.
Thursday, 08 July
Day 20 of the Excavation
Free weekend begins in the afternoon for Team Members. Relax by the Kibbutz pool or explore Israel.
Week 5
Saturday, 10 July
Team Members should be back on site by early evening
Sunday, 11 July
Excavation begins again
Monday, 12 July – Wednesday, 14 July
As above.
Thursday, 15 July
Day 25 of the Excavation
Free weekend begins in the afternoon for Team Members not enrolled in the Education program. Relax by the Kibbutz pool or explore Israel.
Friday, 16 July
Full day Study Tour to other archaeological sites currently being excavated for all those enrolled in the education program. Free time after tour.
Week 6
Saturday, 17 July
Team Members should be back on site by early evening
Sunday, 18 July
Excavation begins again.
Monday, 19 July – Wednesday, 21 July
As above.
Thursday, 22 July
Day 30 of the Excavation
Free weekend begins in the afternoon for all
Last weekend to relax at the Kibbutz or to explore Israel
Week 7 (last week of the 2nd session)
Saturday, 24 July
Team Members should be back on site by early evening
Sunday, 25 July
Excavation begins again.
Monday, 26 July – Wednesday, 28 July
As above.
Thursday, 29 July
Day 35 – The last day of the excavation season
All participants leave Thursday pm.
Important Note:
The Megiddo Expedition reserves the right to make changes in the above program, if and when the need arises.
Dig Megiddo 2010! 
September 16, 2009 at 7:17 pm
must one be on site for the entire session or do you allow 1 or 2 week participation?
September 17, 2009 at 1:17 am
the short answer is yes, you do have to be on site for the entire session.
October 22, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I seem to be getting conflicting information from different websites. Hopefully, you can help clarify for me.
What type of visa, if any, is required for a US citizen working on the dig?
Would he/she be classified as a tourist, a student (if receiving credit), or a worker?
Does Israel differentiate between volunteer work and paid work for visa requirements?
Thanks
October 25, 2009 at 2:54 pm
It is important when you are arriving to say you are coming as a tourist, especially if you say you are staying on a Kibbutz. This is because the official at passport control may think you are a “Kibbutz Volunteer” in which caes you would need a special visa!
You are not, you are participating in a dig during your vacation and staying at the Kibbutz Guest House.
So just an automatic tourist visa for 3 months will be stamped in your passport.
October 23, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Patti — I have already sent an email to Michael Sullivan about this. There is no visa required; you simply have your passport stamped at the airport when you enter Israel; it should be good for a three month visit. You are classified simply as a tourist. Cheers, EHC
October 24, 2009 at 2:09 am
say we wished to sign up for the 1st session, then find we really enjoy the dig, would it be possible to extend into the second session? of course all fees would be paid right away.
October 25, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Somehow we have always managed to fit someone in who wants to stay longer BUT please dont rely on this method! Plus it does cause us a headache, even if for a good reason.
October 24, 2009 at 3:52 am
If there are rooms/beds available in the second session, then yes. This has happened in past seasons. If all rooms/beds are already spoken for in the second session, then it will obviously be difficult.
November 12, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I was curious what all the fee covered…is airfare included???
November 13, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Erica — Eric is talking as an American! (not surprising). For Team Members coming from the UK or Europe the airfares are much lower. Apart from the major airlines, American, Delta, Continental, El Al, British, Lufthansa — there are also deals via the UK from the US. e.g. via Virgin to UK then Britsh Midland or Easy Jet.
November 13, 2009 at 1:16 am
No, airfare is not included. The fee listed above covers room and board only; the credit courses are extra; and you have to get yourself over to Israel and back, which will cost you anywhere from $1,100 to $1,400; plus you’ll need money for the weekends, if you go traveling. In other words, your total bill will probably run you more than $3,000 for a three-week session, if you take a credit course. You’ll find that these prices are typical of most excavations in Israel.
January 8, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Hi all. I had a quick question about credit… if you need credit for your university would that include both the dig fee and the $450 course fee? Thanks!
January 13, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Yes, you would pay both fees.
January 13, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Are the prices in US dollars? How much would it be in US $$?
Tony Amabile
January 13, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Yes, the prices are in US dollars.
January 21, 2010 at 6:10 pm
I am wanting clarification on VISAs. I read on wikipedia that if you receive a VISA from Israel that you are not permitted to enter certain Arab countries if you ever choose to dig other places (http://wikitravel.org/en/Israel). Can you confirm this information please?
January 21, 2010 at 6:45 pm
If you are an American, you do not need a visa to visit Israel. If, however, you have an entry or exit stamp from Israel in your passport, you may have trouble subsequently visiting specific Arab countries.
January 26, 2010 at 4:45 am
Hi, I was wondering if there are still spots available to go for seven weeks. I saw that it says the first session is almost filled up and I was wondering if there are still spots available to go to both sessions. Also I saw that a physical is required, does this have to be a physical down now or can a recent physical be used?
January 26, 2010 at 4:48 am
I believe that there are still some spots for seven weekers, but only those with previous experience. The physical has to be recent enough that the information is still accurate and contains the same data that is on our form.
February 25, 2010 at 6:21 am
I got to know about the Megiddo 2010 expedition just today as I viewed the site. Are there still places for seven weekers. I am a Nigerian, and I have two students studying Archaeology in Palestine with me At the University of Jos. I want them to have a first hand taste at an archaeological site. Do you think it is too late?
March 8, 2010 at 5:05 pm
It is too late, sorry.
March 3, 2010 at 4:37 am
Is there any places left for the second session? If not, is ther any chances to be called up from the waiting list?
Thank you
March 3, 2010 at 4:39 am
send an email with your question to: megexc@post.tau.ac.il
March 8, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Second session is full; sorry.
March 17, 2010 at 2:52 am
I notice on your AIA page that you are looking to fill staff positions. Is this still the case? If so, what is the procedure for applying?
Thanks!
March 17, 2010 at 4:26 am
No, I’m afraid that is out of date. Our staff positions are all filled and have been for quite some time.
March 21, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I am trying to make my airplane reservations. From what I can tell, the day to arrive is June 12 sometime in morning or early afternoon. I am doing a 3 week session. I will be departing in the evening on July 1. Are there evening flights out to the USA or will I need to find somewhere else to stay that evening ?? OR can I leave that Thursday whenever I can get a flight out, perhaps working morning session, then departing ??
June 17, 2010 at 7:35 am
I am interested in your activity but I have time only for 2 weeks of excavation.