May 11, 2019 - June 24, 2019

One, Two, Three or Four week participation
is available for volunteers.

Pre-Dig Tour: May 11 to May 18, 2019

Four Weeks of Excavation: May 19 to June 15

Post Dig Tour: June 16 to June 24, 2019

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2019 SEASON AT SHILOH IS NOW CLOSED. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING US,

PLEASE EMAIL HENRY SMITH ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR (comments@biblearchaeology.org). A FEW SPACES REMAIN OPEN.

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2019 SEASON AT SHILOH IS NOW CLOSED. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING US, PLEASE EMAIL HENRY SMITH ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR (comments@biblearchaeology.org). A FEW SPACES REMAIN OPEN.

Cost and Travel Details

All Subject to Change without Notice (Last Updated 4/2/2019)

I. The Shiloh Excavations will be conducted for 4 weeks in 2019 (Sunday May 19 [3 PM Check in Time] to Saturday June 15, 2019 [AM Check out]. Several packages are available for one, two, three or four weeks. They are as follows:

a. Standard One Week Interval: Check in Sunday PM, Check out Saturday AM (or similar one week interval). Price for one week: $1100

b. Standard Two Week Interval (discounted): Check in Sunday PM, Check out 2nd Saturday AM (or similar two week interval). Price for two weeks: $2100

c. Three Week Interval (better rate!): Check in Sunday PM, Check out 3rd Saturday AM. Price for three weeks: $3000

d. Four Week Interval (best rate!): Check in Sunday May 19, 2019 PM, Check out Saturday June 15, 2019 AM. Price for four weeks: $3800

e. Pre-Dig Tour (Sat May 11 to Sat May 18, 2019, [check out Sunday 5/19 AM for those departing]: $1400

f. Pre-Dig Tour price for those who dig one, two or three weeks: $1300

g. Pre-Dig Tour Price for those who dig four weeks: $700

h. Post Dig Tour (Sat June 15 PM check in to Mon June 24 AM check out, 2019): $1400

i. Post Dig Tour Price for those who dig one, two or three weeks: $1300

j. Post Dig Tour price for those who dig four weeks: $700

The tour pricing includes 3 meals, park entrance fees, bus driver tip, bus transport, and hotel.

g. Pre-Dig Tour+4 weeks Dig+post Dig Tour/Conservation = $5100

As a general statement, if you are able to arrive a day early, it will give you time to get acclimated to the time change. An extra non-dig night is $100 per person, double/triple occupancy. Feel free to inquire about this if you are interested.

NOTE: Diggers may join us during any interval of time during the 4 weeks. At least two weeks of participation are preferred, but not required. Contact Henry Smith, Administrative Director, with questions or for a price quote.

These rates include Double or Triple occupancy (SINGLE ROOMS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE) and 3 meals a day (Lunch is ONLY included on Dig days, and not on weekends during the Dig season). Transport by bus to and from the Dig, and evening education classes are also included. Rates for participation other than 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks can be priced on an individual basis, depending on the availability of hotel rooms. Volunteers are responsible for their own travel arrangements, including flight and transport to and from the airport. Deadline for full payment has been extended March 31, 2019, though we will take applications after that date ONLY if rooms are still available.

II. ABR does not arrange group flights. In order to minimize costs, travelers make their own flight arrangements in order to find the best deals possible. Students MAY be able to find discounts at: www.studentuniverse.com

III. A $500 per person deposit is due on a first come, first serve basis. We highly recommend sending in your deposit asap to reserve your space. The deposit is due ASAP.

a. Final payment in full is due: March 31, 2019 (Minus $300 cash, see below).

Some Dig participants will be asked to bring $300 US Dollars cash to Israel and submit to the ABR staff as their final payment. Many of our expenses are only payable in cash, and transporting large volumes of cash overseas poses security risks. Check cashing in Israel has also become very difficult due to legal restrictions. Thus, having each digger bring their final payment in cash resolves these problems. Thanks for understanding! 

b. Upon receipt of deposit, travelers will receive paperwork that requires immediate attention. Please review it thoroughly and submit it to our office right away.

IV. Touring

There will be multiple touring options during the 2019 Dig season.

A. Weekend Touring: During the Dig, three weekends trips will be made available to diggers. Park entrance fees, lunch, and bus and/or van costs are not included in package pricing above, but will be paid by participants while in Israel. The costs are very reasonable, about $40-$60 per day. The weekend options are (itinerary is subject to change and is tentative):

Saturday May 25, 2019: Free day in Jerusalem

Sunday May 26, 2019: TBA

Saturday June 1, 2019: Free Day in Jerusalem

Sunday June 2, 2019: TBA

B. PRE and POST DIG TOURING: See pricing above

1. Pre Dig Tour: A pre-dig tour package is being offered, and will be led by Dr. Stripling and/or Assisant Dig Co-Director Suzanne Lattimer. Check in Saturday May 11, tour through Saturday May 18, 2019 (those leaving after the tour will depart Sunday May 19, 2019 AM).

2. Post Dig Tour: A post-dig tour package is being offered, and will be led by Senior Archaeologist and Assistant Dig Co-Director Gary Byers. Tourists will stay at the Ritz Hotel. 

Itinerary is subject to change without notice.

3. Possible Sites MAY include: Caesarea, Cana, Nazareth, Megiddo, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Beth Shean, Jericho, Qumran, Bethlehem, Elah Valley, City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Israel Museum, Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea, Western Wall, Temple Mount, Old City, Holy Sepulcher.

V. Paperwork and Registration: There are three steps involved.

1. Download the Liability PDF Form, print it out, sign it and initial it, including the signature of two witnesses. Minors must have a guardian signature as well. Please mail the form to: ABR Po Box 144 Akron PA 17501. Or, email it to: comments@biblearchaeology.org

2. Click on this link to fill out our Online Application Form (off-site link).

3. Click on this link to fill out our Online Registration Form (off-site link).

4. All three steps must be completed!

VI. Making Your Payment

Help ABR save on Credit Card bank fees by paying by check, if you are able.

To pay your deposit online or make full payment, please follow these instructions with our secure donation page:

https://www.biblearchaeology.org/support/supportform.aspx?action=donate

a. In the ONE TIME GIFT field, click on OTHER and enter the proper dollar amount.

b. Then, under SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS, type: PAYMENT-DEPOSIT FOR SHILOH DIG/TOUR 2019.

c. Fill out the rest of the form. You will make your payment through PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account. You can use your CC through PayPal.

d. Pay by check and mail with your paperwork to the ABR office.

VII. Safety

Safety is of primary importance on this excavation. Each year, the Israeli Antiquities Authority (or KAMAT) and the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) review the situation locally, and determine if it is safe for ABR to dig at the site. Our permit is not granted unless they are sure our site is safe. Shiloh is a national park and is enclosed, and is located along the main security road. The excavation is very safe.

VIII. Accomodations

While digging, we will be staying at the Ritz Hotel Jerusalem, located in downtown East Jerusalem (8 Ibn Khaldoun Street, Jerusalem 9710204). It is nestled in the heart of the commercial district, an enjoyable stroll to the Old City of Jerusalem with magnificent holy and historical sites, and is less than 45 minutes from Shiloh. The hotel is within walking distance of the Old City, allowing volunteers to easily visit prominent historical and Biblical sites during off-time and weekends. You will easily be able to visit sites such as: the Temple Mount, Western Wall, City of David, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and many more.

IX. Internet access in the hotel is spotty at times. There is one public computer available for use. There is an ATM near the hotel. The rooms have safes.

X. Laundry- a. Wash clothes by hand in bathtubs or sinks and then to hang out the clothes on the balcony (if the room has one). With this option, diggers should use detergent from Israel (US detergent does not work well with the Israeli water). b. There is a laundry service right across the street from the hotel. A full load, washed and dried, is about $20. Diggers can drop off of their clothes after work and pick them up the next day after work.

XI. Single rooms are no longer available.

XII. Traveler's and Health Insurance

All travelers must purchase travelers insurance in the event of a family emergency, illness, etc. ABR CANNOT GUARANTEE THE RECOVERY OF ANY MONIES PAID FOR THE TRIP! Be sure your insurance covers travel in the West Bank, which is where our site is located. Tokio Marine covers travelers in the West Bank.

All Travelers MUST have Medical Insurance coverage for this trip. ABR cannot and will not be responsible in any way for any hospital or doctor visits or ambulance transport needed by travelers, whether the result of sickness or injury. MEDICARE IS NOT ACCEPTED OUTSIDE THE US! All travelers must thoroughly document their medications, and provide family and doctor emergency contact information.

Medical Evacuation Insurance as well must be purchased as well, in case a traveler need to be transported to the US. Without insurance, this could cost more than $75,000. 

XIII. Passport

 No visa is required if you have a passport from an APPROVED country and are staying less than 90 days. If you have other plans or have a non-US passport, please visit the Israeli Embassy website.

 Passport must have an expiration date that expires SIX MONTHS beyond your last intended day of stay in Israel. For purposes of the ABR Dig, your passport must have an expiration date that postdates your last day in Israel by SIX MONTHS. If you plan to stay for the post-Dig tour or on your own, please be absolutely sure your passport postdates your last day in Israel by six months. The Israelis will NOT let you into the country!

XIV. Tax Deductibility

The monies paid toward the Shiloh excavation are not considered a donation to ABR. However, because you are providing volunteer work for ABR, all expenses related to that work may be deductible as expenses of volunteer work for a non-profit ministry. This does not include any touring. If you live in the US, you will receive a receipt in the mail in the January following the dig. Please consult a tax professional for advice. (Download PDF of this IRS Form).

XV. Tool Donation

If you are able, please bring a Marshalltown Trowel with you and leave it as a small tool donation. This is difficult to find in Israel, and is expensive to transport en masse. So, your help is appreciated! It is available at Home Depot (off-site link). NOTE: DO NOT pack the trowel in your carry on luggage! It will likely be confiscated.

Last Updated: 3/3/2019

Travel Costs for work done for a qualified non profit.pdf (172.56 kb)

Shiloh Liab form 2019.pdf (48.38 kb)