Bar-Ilan University awarding archaeology scholarships

Date: 2012-06-24 Hour: 15:17

Bar-Ilan University is awarding full scholarships to 41 undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students from around the world who are participating in the excavations of two important biblical era sites being unearthed this summer by the University's archaeologists.

Sixteen students are already digging at Tel Burna (http://telburna.wordpress.com),
a site located in the Shephelah region which served as a border between the kingdoms of Judah and Philistia in the Iron Age. At the beginning of July, 38 students will begin work at Tell es-Safi/Gath (www.dig-gath.org), the biblical Gath of the Philistines. Thirteen of the scholarship recipients are taking part in the excavations at both locations.

"Participation in these excavations provides a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about -- and touch -- the history and culture of the ancient Land of Israel -- by taking part in revealing ancient finds from biblical times, lectures on related topics and field trips to archaeological sites in the region," said Prof. Aren Maeir, Director of Bar-Ilan University's Institute of Archaeology, who selected the scholarship recipients and directs the excavations at Tell es-Safi/Gath.

The scholarships, which are the largest ever given by one body for one season, have been made possible through the generosity of the ADAR Foundation. Recipients of the ADAR Foundation scholarships hail from Israel, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Korea, Hungary, Greece, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Italy, Northern Ireland, and China. Scholarships cover room and board for a full season of excavations at either or both sites.