Digging is hard, and it is easy to find yourself wandering at 5 am after several weeks of intensive hard work: "Why?'" But then you go back to work. Before the work becomes overwhelming, it's time for a second breakfast. The two staples are bread and watermelon, and we don't get sick of them. Sometimes, … Continue reading Highlights of the 2022 season at the site
Khirbat
Pottery reading
During the excavation archaeologists collect pottery for several reasons as these artefacts offer valuable insights in the past societies that produced them. Collecting pottery allows archaeologists to conserve and preserve these artefacts for future generations. Properly documented, stored, and displayed pottery can provide the public and other researchers with valuable educational resources. Digging the dirt … Continue reading Pottery reading
Digging the dirt at the Field C
Every season is different. I was so getting used to digging Field B and my crew, but in 2022 I was given an opportunity to meet another group. I was assigned to Field C and the amazing Trisha Broy as my Field supervisor. It was an excellent opportunity to learn what they have been digging … Continue reading Digging the dirt at the Field C
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye,I leave and heave a sigh and say goodbye.I'm glad to go, I cannot tell a lie. Every ending is a bittersweet moment. When you are doing the job that you love and surrounded with friends it can get sad knowing that the dig season is coming to its end. … Continue reading So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye
Flotation
Archaeological flotation is a technique used to recover tiny artefacts and plant remains from soil samples. This season we finally decided it was about time to collect the soil samples and float them. It was the first time for Safra team members to experience the fun of collecting heaps of fine soil (5 litres) in … Continue reading Flotation
The team
During an archaeological excavation you can learn much about the methods of excavation as well as the history of the place and the region of the site in general. But what you learn the most is about yourself. You learn how to approach new and difficult situations in a new and unknown environment with new … Continue reading The team
Progress
It is funny how almost every day in the field you work as much as you can and seem to progress but then at the end of the week, or even worse at the end of the season you are being asked "that is all you have done? not much of a progress!" To all … Continue reading Progress
Are archaeologists Hobbits? A glimpse in the field diet
- The best part of the dig is the second breakfast. -What? Second breakfast? Are you Hobbits? -No! Well, in a sense, we are kind of Hobbitses 🙂 perfect juicy refreshing watermelon Most of my friends make fun of my stories about the food at the site. Because most of my stories contain mention of … Continue reading Are archaeologists Hobbits? A glimpse in the field diet
Working hard or hardly working
Sometimes when the volunteers come to work at the site they end up asking questions about the quantity of the work they are required to do. By simple observation they often wonder why is it that some people are always walking around with their ipads, measuring tape, paper and pen, cameras and so on. At … Continue reading Working hard or hardly working
Clean up
Beginnings are never easy. I think someone said that. Anyway, in archaeology there are many beginnings: the first season, the first dig, the first morning in the field, the first time you stick the trowel to the ground, the first time you fill in your pottery tag .... Every beginning is different and can be … Continue reading Clean up
Archaeology, mostly 