DIGS

Late Bronze and Iron Age Copper Production

Commenced in 2012, the Central Timna Valley (CTV) Project of Tel Aviv University is a multiyear, multidisciplinary research project attempting to elucidate various aspects of the archaeological record in the vicinity of the copper ore deposits of the southern Aravah. The first phase of the project includes excavations and surveys designed to address several critical issues in the Late Bronze and Iron Age archaeology of the southern Levant. These include the history of copper production technology and the introduction of iron, historical issues concerning the nature of 13th-ninth centuries BCE desert societies, and the impact of the intense copper production on social processes, regional and global political interactions, and the economy of the southern Levant in that period.

Timna sits 15 miles north of Eilat, a port city on the northern tip of the Red Sea. CTV operates within the breathtaking landscape of Timna Park and implements various techniques in excavation, survey, and organic and geological material sampling. The park is an ideal environment to learn a variety of research tools within the diverse field of archaeology. The project collaborates with specialists in multiple subfields of archaeology to explore one of the best-preserved ancient mining and smelting regions in the world. Tours of important sites in the Timna Valley and lectures by leading specialists in the field are part of the course for those working toward academic credit.

In the 2023 season, the team will continue to unearth metallurgical installations, investigate mines and miners’ camps and glean insights into the Bronze and Iron Age metalworkers at Timna, whose work greatly impacted the ancient kingdoms of the southern Levant.

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Details

Geographic Location

Southern Aravah Valley, Southern Israel

Dates of the Dig

January 22 - February 4, 2023

Minimum Stay

3 Days

Application Due

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Accommodations

Volunteers will stay in sleeping bags in heated tents

Cost

Directors

Contact

Mr. Yoav Vaknin

[email protected]

To learn how you can get involved, visit their website and check them out on Facebook.