A volunteer digger discovers an ancient inscription at Caesarea.
A volunteer digger discovers an ancient inscription at Caesarea.
Along the coast Herod discovered a city that was in decay. . . . This he rebuilt entirely in marble and ornamented with a most splendid palace. . . . The king conquered nature herself, constructing a harbor larger than the Piraeus, and providing deep anchorages in its innermost recesses. (Josephus, Jewish War 1.408-410)
The University of South Dakota has sent students to work with the Combined Caesarea Expeditions at Caesarea in Israel every summer since 1989. This page describes the opportunities available to excavate at Caesarea, learn archaeology, and travel in Israel.
Herod, King of the Jews, founded Caesarea on the coast of Judaea over 2000 years
ago. Capital of the Roman province of Palestine and one of the great cities of the ancient
Mediterranean, Caesarea features ancient aqueducts, theaters, temples, churches,
fortifications, and many other features of the ancient and medieval world. Archaeologists
work on land to investigate the recently discovered Temple to Rome and Augustus and under
water to probe the submerged harbors and shipwrecks. Recently a new project, "The
City of Peter and Paul," has begun to explore the Early Christian city.
South
Dakota Public Radio's Janet Davison
interviews the director, Kenneth G Holum, about the 2000 season.
(Audio courtesy of South Dakota Public Radio, from an interview
conducted by Janet Davison in July, 2000)
Volunteers can participate in the land or dive sessions for four to eight weeks. They live in modern dormitories on the beach near Caesarea. Meals are served at the dormitories and at Caesarea. They receive systematic training in all aspects of archaeological field work, including excavating and recording techniques as well as the processing and field analysis of finds. Staff members and visiting specialists present lectures and workshops during the week and lead study tours of Israel on weekends. Academic credit is available through the University of South Dakota and other institutions participating in the Combined Caesarea Expeditions.
The 2000 season takes place from 28 May to 27 July. The Combined Caesarea Expeditions charges a non-refundable application fee of $50 and a dig fee of $375/week ($425/week for divers), which covers all expenses on site. Other costs include weekend expenses, transportation to Israel, and tuition for those who desire academic credit. Scholarships are available.
The Combined Caesarea Expeditions is sponsored principally by the University of Maryland at College Park and Haifa University Center for Maritime Studies. The official home page for the expedition is at the University of Maryland; go there for more information and application materials.
At the University of South Dakota, contact Clayton Lehmann in the Department of History,
East Hall, 677-5573. 
08 Dec 2003, cml