There are many opportunities to do fieldwork or otherwise participate in excavations in the lands of the Bible. We believe that the best listing of excavations needing volunteers is that of the of the Biblical Archaeology Society. In the Biblical Archaeology Review the BAS annually publishes a detailed list in the January/February issue. If you do not subscribe, check at B. Dalton, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or one of the other major booksellers for the issue.

Please note that the information contained in our BIBARCH^TM website does not constitute endorsement or recommendation to undertake travel or fieldwork during the pandemic.

• For archaeological excavations in Egypt and other archaeological fieldwork opportunities see Archaeological Fieldwork Opportunities Bulletin published by the Archaeological Institute of America.

• For information about archaeological excavations in Jordan see the ACOR (American Center of Research) website and its “Archaeology in Jordan and the Pandemic” by Jack Green.

• The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides a preliminary listing of archaeological excavations in Israel. See Archaeological excavations in Israel 2021.

In archaeology, undergraduate and graduate students often need to complete fieldwork (we prefer this spelling over field work in reference to farm labor so please indulge us) as part of their degree program. In other degree programs, academic course credit in archaeological fieldwork might help you fulfill the requirements for a degree minor or serve as an elective. Be sure that the course is transferable to your college or university should it be offered by an institution other than the one you attend. We advise you to discuss the matter with your major adviser at your home college or university before taking a course from another institution. Transfer of credit can get tacky.

The major work force at most Levantine excavations are volunteers. Many being college and university students in the humanities. Not many STEM majors. As a volunteer, you normally will agree to abide by a minimum stay requirement of two weeks to a month. Why?

To be effective in the archaeological field, you need some basic instruction in field techniques not available in a sterile academic classroom. In other words, how to use a pick and shovel without damaging artifacts that are priceless in research terms (but usually are ancient trash), following directions (which is really hard for many WOKE college students who prefer to share their opinion about the archaic nondemocratic leadership style of their supervisors), and excavation techniques.

An excavation, seasonal work where time is of the essence, is often run in an 18th century management style. Excavations by necessity are authoritarian operations. Management, your host, expects significant return on its investment in providing you with opportunity to learn by your participation in the excavation for the minimum period. It is quid pro quo.

Excavation management actually expects you to work, not to sit and talk, or lean on your shovel, or engage in politics. Supervisors will hurry you on and cut conversation short. We share this with you to make a point about some of these matters, but overseas excavation in Israel, Jordan, and Egypt emerges you into totally different cultures where you are expected by cultural norms to conform. They don’t function by USA norms and do not want too. Realize before you go, that by volunteering, you pay to work as well as for your transportation, room and board, and the like. What you receive in return is an opportunity of a lifetime.

Unless you have an exceptional background in excavation, you will be in a square under supervision. Your work will be carefully removing debris and painstakingly removing dirt 1 to 10 centimeters at a time while you keep your floor as  level as possible. This is hard work done while on your knees (bring some knee pads with you). You will also transport debris including rocks to refuse areas. Normally, you will have to use stinky latrines and cover your excrement with lime, i.e., these latrines are not nice certified USA Porta Potties.

If you show interest and are a diligent, responsive worker, some excavations will provide you with other kinds of excavation work as well. Learning opportunities abound at a dig. Nevertheless, we all do our share of digging. Expect to do some work, off the excavation site, such as washing pottery, helping prepare and serve meals, and washing dishes.