Archaeology
Hippos Excavation 2010
(scroll to the bottom of this page for the 2010 application form, and information from past digs)
The 2010 Season
Plans are in place for the eleventh season of archaeology at Hippos, Israel. This is the third time that Concordia Lutheran Seminary has participated in this exciting project, under the leadership of Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn. Come and join us for an academic, spiritual, and hands-on adventure at a stunningly beautiful site—overlooking the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
The Hippos Excavations
Hippos lies atop a spectacular steep-sided mountain on the east coast of the Sea of Galilee. Founded in the 3rd century B.C. as a Syrian outpost, it was one of the cities of the Decapolis, a loosely knit group of culturally Greek cities located just east of ancient Israel. Although it came under Jewish control for two brief periods in the first century B.C., its history was mostly dominated by Greek and Roman influences.
During the fourth century A.D., Hippos began to be “Christianized.” Within a century, it was an important centre of Byzantine Christianity that boasted at least five churches; one was an impressive cathedral and another seems to have been part of a monastery. The city reached its high-point, both as a classically planned city and as a Christian centre, late in the sixth century A.D. Following the Arab conquest of the mid-seventh century, Hippos began a period of gradual decline that ended with its complete destruction in a catastrophic earthquake in 749 A.D. The city then lay in ruins until excavations began in the year 2000.
The first decade of excavations has revealed a great deal of the city’s ancient splendour and the vibrancy of its inhabitants’ life. This summer’s season marks the start of a new five-year phase, further deepening our knowledge of the city and its people. Concordia Lutheran Seminary is excited to continue collaborating on this project with Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota.
To supplement the brief information provided here, prospective participants should consult Concordia University’s website dedicated to the North-East Church project: http://hippos.archaeology.csp.edu/. Please note, however, that Canadians are encouraged to register and participate in the project through Concordia Lutheran Seminary, as outlined below.
Tentative Dates
| Thurs Jul 01/10 | leave Edmonton (or other point of departure) |
| Fri Jul 2 | arrive Tel Aviv, drive to Kibbutz Ein Gev |
| Sat Jul 3 | tour: Hippos site, Sea of Galilee sites |
| Sun Jul 4 – Thurs Jul 8 | first week of excavation on the North-East Church |
| Thurs Jul 8 – Sat Jul 10 | tour: Jerusalem & Bethlehem (2 night stay) |
| Sun Jul 11 – Thurs Jul 15 | second week of excavation on the North-East Church |
| Sat Jul 17 | leave Kibbutz Ein Gev, fly to Canada from Tel Aviv |
| Sun Jul 18 | arrive in Edmonton (or other point) |
Description of the trip
Participants will fly as a group from Toronto to Tel Aviv, then travel to Kibbutz Ein Gev on the east shore of the Sea of Galilee. We will join a team from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, which is under the direction of Dr. Mark Schuler, who has been working on the Hippos excavation since 2002. He directs the excavation of the “North-East Church,” which is the particular structure we will be working on as part of an international team excavating various parts of the ancient city.
Before beginning work, the team will spend a day touring the Hippos site and travelling around the Sea of Galilee, making stops at sites of historical and archaeological significance related to Jesus’ ministry and early Christianity. Between the first and second weeks of work, a two-night visit to Jerusalem will also be made, with a special focus on Biblically significant sites within the Old City and on the Mount of Olives, and in nearby Bethlehem.
The seminary-sponsored team will then return to Canada as a group.
Goals of the trip
The archaeological program of the seminary, in partnership with Concordia University-St. Paul, introduces participants to the science of archaeology in the Middle East through hands-on experience with the techniques of the discipline. (Translation: It's going to be dirty but fun!)
Broadly speaking, this includes experience in the excavation, recovery, documentation, and preservation of material remains, and—as opportunity presents—acquaintance with the use of material remains in the interpretation of Biblical and early Christian writings. (Translation: We'll get a better feel for how archaeology helps us understand the Bible.)
Specifically, the 2010 team will focus on excavating the area around the North-East Church itself. A large paved plaza, staircase, and colonnaded room may unlock some of the history of the usage of the site, which seems to have served as a monastic complex. It is possible that work could begin as well on a new site within the city, tentatively identified as a domestic-quarter church.
These field experiences will be supplemented with touring, occasional lectures, and recommended reading, in order to provide a comprehensive introduction to the land and its material remains.
Eligibility
Students at Concordia Lutheran Seminary
All students at Concordia Lutheran Seminary are invited to participate in the excavation project, which—along with a number of reading and writing assignments—comprises E-573 (Field Archaeology). Those who register for this program are eligible to receive financial aid. However, the dig is a rigorous activity requiring robust health. Students should consider their physical stamina when deciding whether to join the team.
Adult volunteers
The archaeological project of Concordia University-St. Paul, in which our seminary participates, relies heavily on adult volunteers (age 18 and over, as of 1 July 2010). Although the physical demands of archaeological work are significant, work will be tailored where possible to individual ability and interest. Most volunteers work alongside college and/or seminary students; as opportunity allows, others may engage in slower and more delicate work. Parents are welcome to bring children aged 14 or older (as of 1 July 2010).
Passport Requirements
Each participant must hold a valid passport with at least six months’ validity beyond the expected date of departure from Israel. In other words, your passport must expire on or after 17 January 2011. Earlier expiration dates will not be accepted.
Registration process
Registration is a four-part process.
- Participants complete a registration form (below) and send it to the Concordia Lutheran Seminary Hippos Excavation Co-ordinator, Dr. Stephen Chambers, to initiate their registration.
- When that form is received, Dr. Chambers will send a copy of teh "Understandings and Waiver Form" (UWF) that is required of all participants by Concordia University-St. Paul.
- The participant then completes and returns the completed UWF to the Edmonton seminary, along with a $375 registration fee, by 15 March 2010.
- All remaining fees must be paid to Concordia Lutheran Seminary by all registrants no later than 1 May 2010.
A typical day (Sunday through Thursday)
| 4:20 am | wake up |
| 4:45 am | leave for site |
| 5:00 – 8:00 am | excavation / preservation |
| 8:00 – 8:30 am | breakfast |
| 8:30 – noon | excavation / preservation |
| noon – 1:15 pm | return to kibbutz and clean up |
| 1:15 – 2:00 pm | lunch |
| 2:00 – 4:30 pm | free time |
| 4:30 – 6:15 pm | pottery cleaning |
| 6:30 – 7:15 pm | supper |
| 7:30 – 8:30 pm | worship / lecture / team meeting (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday) |
| 8:30 pm | devotions (Saturday to Wednesday) |
| 9:00 pm | lights out (highly recommended!) |
Approximate costs per person (based on $1.00 USD = $1.10 CAD)
Important note regarding fees:
- The “local costs” listed below are calculated on the basis of $1.00 USD = $1.10 CAD and 1.00 Euro = $1.60 CAD. However, they are subject to change due to currency fluctuations.
- The “sample airfare” listed below is based on the route Edmonton-Toronto-Tel Aviv, and reflects the lowest fares available in mid-October 2009.
- Each participant’s actual fees for “local costs” (see section “b” below) will be calculated on the basis of the exchange rates in effect on the day on which Concordia Lutheran Seminary issues his or her invoice.
- Each participant’s actual fees for “airfare” (see section “c” below) will be calculated on the basis of the round-trip fares that are available from his or her chosen city of departure on the day on which Concordia Lutheran Seminary issues his or her invoice.
- These invoices will be prepared sometime between 15 March 2010 (the registration deadline) and 1 May 2010 (the day full payment is due).
- In addition to the fees listed below (local costs + airfare), each participant is responsible for the cost of several meals—for example, while in transit and while touring—plus any desired cancellation insurance (or other travel insurance), and all personal expenses.
Local costs
Item |
Cost |
Approx. cost in CAD* |
Registration fee (non-refundable) |
$375 CAD |
$375 CAD |
Room and board at Kibbutz Ein Gev (2 weeks) |
700 € |
$1,120 CAD |
Transportation fee (ground transport within Israel) |
$220 USD |
$242 CAD |
Jerusalem trip (transportation, 2 nights’ accommodation, half-board) |
$220 USD |
$242 CAD |
Total, this category: |
$1,979 CAD |
* See “Important note regarding fees,” above. Canadian-dollar equivalents in this chart are provided for illustration purposes only.
Sample airfare
Edmonton – Tel Aviv, return, via Toronto (as of mid-October 2009) $2,100 CAD
Estimated fees (local costs + airfare) $4,079 CAD
Security
Since the fall of 2000, tensions and violence have been high in Israel and the Occupied Territories. In 2006, the second Lebanon War brought katyusha rocket fire to areas near the excavation (as close as 4-6 miles). As a result, students were evacuated and sent home. Nevertheless, the site for the Hippos Excavation is removed from population centers and has not experienced any direct conflict. It is within the 1948 borders of Israel. It is one of the safer places in Israel primarily due to its remoteness.
Security is a serious concern for Concordia University-St. Paul, and for Concordia Lutheran Seminary as an institutional partner in the university’s program. The university continues to upgrade its plans and procedures in order to keep students and adult volunteers safe. The project director, Dr. Mark Schuler, reserves the right to make any changes to the program in order to assure the reasonable security of participants.
Those who consider participating in the Northeast Church Project at Hippos should monitor closely the latest news. Participants should also become familiar with the travel advisories provided by Foreign Affairs Canada http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=135000) and by the United States State Department (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html).
Cancellation
Prior to departure for Israel
Participants must make their own decisions about cancellation prior to 30 June 2010. In previous years, the excavation has proceeded even at times of high tension. If you or your family become concerned because of events in the Middle East before you leave home, it is your decision whether or not to proceed. The following are the only circumstances that would cause cancellation of all activities prior to departure:
- Cancellation of the dig season by the Zinman Institute of Archaeology (University of Haifa)
- An order by the United States Embassy to evacuate all U.S. citizens
- The refusal of airlines to fly to Israel
Program interruption and/or evacuation
Because instability in the Middle East can cause a crisis to flare up at any time, the project director at Concordia University-St. Paul (Dr. Mark Schuler) reserves the right to change, limit, or cancel programming at his sole discretion for security purposes, even if those changes cause financial loss or increased costs to participants. In the event of such interruption, participants will be responsible for their own additional costs for transportation, lodging, and meals. Fees for unused portions of the excavation fees are not refundable.
Application
Click here to download the Hippos 2010 Excavation Application
Hippos 2006
Click here for Nov. 2007 article from The Canadian Lutheran
Click here to see the 2006 Photo Gallery
