Open
Jul 11-31, 2025
Archaeology
Dr. Arleta Kowalewska & Dr. Michael Eisenberg
$3,450
May 16, 2025
June 8, 2025 at 8:30am Pacific Time
6 Semester Credits
The ceasefire in the Middle East came into effect on Jan 19. We hope it will hold.
In anticipation that the conflict in the region is coming to an end, we are now taking applications to field schools in the region — including Israel. However, we cannot yet guarantee that the program will take place. Insurance companies need to react to the ceasefire and allow us to insure students who travel to Israel.
For now, students may apply to the program and be admitted. We will not be taking any payments (deposit or tuition) until we can fully insure the program. We will let admitted students know when insurance policies are restored. We will then invite students to attend from the admitted list on a first come-first served basis.
OVERVIEW
Hippos Excavations Project is one of Israel’s main long-running and exciting Classical Archaeology digs. As of the year 2000, our international team unearths various building complexes that allow a reconstruction of the ancient cityscape and a better understanding of public, military, private, and funerary architecture.
The ancient Graeco-Roman city of Hippos of the Decapolis is located on a hill above the Sea of Galilee, with one of the most breathtaking panoramas in Israel. We study and reconstruct the way of life of its inhabitants in the various periods, from its foundation in the Hellenistic period (mid-2nd century BCE), through its Roman-period time of prosperity (64 BCE – mid-4th century CE), to the Christian transformation in the Byzantine period (mid-4th to mid-7th century CE) and other changes that happened after the Islamic takeover (mid-7th century CE to 749 CE earthquake). Perched on an isolated hill and devastated by an earthquake after which it was never rebuilt, Hippos is an ideal site for archaeologists to study the evolution of a city.
During the upcoming 2025 season, students will continue exploring a Roman-Byzantine period cardo and its surrounding insulae with its houses and mosaic floors, and the Byzantine-period cathedral.
For additional information regarding Hippos Excavations Project, see our website dighippos.com.
Recovering a ceraminc juglet
Cleaning mosaic floor
A Roman metal handle
Excavating at Hippos
Discovering mosaic text
The main road crossing Hippos
Aerial view of a structure
Testing Roman water installation at Hippos
Students excavating at the site
Mosaic fish figure dated to the Roman Period
Instructors
All field school directors are experts in their field and passionate about their work. To discuss the suitability of this program for your career goals – whether within or outside academia – you are invited to contact the directors directly. For a broader discussion which CFS program to choose, you are welcome to contact our staff directly – you can do that through our “Contact Us” page.
Dr. Arleta Kowalewska
University of Haifa
Dr. Michael Eisenberg
University of Haifa
Testimonials
From a student evaluation, Summer 2023
student fees (tuition)
what is covered
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DEPOSIT IS PART OF TOTAL TUITION COST
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Costs of Instruction
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Room & Breakfast
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Cost of Academic Credit Units
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Cost of Health & Liability Insurance
read before you pay
- Application: You must apply online for this program – application is free
- Deposit: A $300 nonrefundable deposit (part of the total tuition cost) is required to secure a space in the program
- Credit Card Fee: Payments with credits cards incur 2.5% processing fee
- Late Fee: A $100 Late Fee will be added to the program costs if tuition is not paid in full by payment deadline
- Cancelation Policy: Carefully read our Cancelation Policy before committing to attend our programs
- Trip cancellation Insurance: Trip cancellation insurance is not provided by CFS. Such policies have changed due to Covid 19. If you wish to purchase an insurance policy that covers pandemic contingencies, explore Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) plans. Insuremytrip or Travel Guard are possible websites where you may explore different insurance policies
Accommodations
The expedition lodges in the hostel of Kibbutz Ein Gev, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, about 5 min. drive from the site. There are 2-4 occupants in each of the simple rooms and the facilities are shared. All rooms are air-conditioned and have wi-fi access. Linens and towels for indoor use are provided. Free of charge collective laundry service is available once a week.
diet
Three meals a day are provided: breakfast buffet in the field, lunch buffet in the kibbutz’s dining hall, and dinner (arranged according to the afternoon activities of the day). The meals are suitable for any diet type – there is always a variety of choices.
travel information
We suggest you hold purchasing airline tickets until six (6) weeks before the program begins. Natural disasters, political changes, weather conditions & a range of other factors may require the cancelation this field school. CFS typically makes a final Go/No Go decision about six weeks before the field school begins. To protect students from potential financial loss, we urge students to purchase airline tickets only six weeks prior to program beginning.
The Ein Gev Kibbutz lodging will be open for our arrival on the weekend before the first field school day – students may arrive on Fri or Sat as the week begins in Israel on Sun. We will meet students at the main gate to the kibbutz. Detailed directions will be provided to all students prior to arrival, and we will be available to assist in finding the best way to get to the kibbutz based on your travel itinerary.
visa information
As of January 1, 2025, all foreign visitors must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL). Information on the new requirements and how to apply can be found on the ETA-IL website.
A valid passport and evidence of return or onward travel are required to enter and depart Israel. Travelers holding U.S. or E.U. passports receive a card stating the length of the approved stay (usually 3 months). This card should be kept inside the passport until leaving the territory of Israel. You will be provided with the contact information of the dig directors, which you can pass on to the Immigration Authorities in case of need.
Meeting Point
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| July 11, 2025 | All day | Main entrance gate to Kibbutz Ein Gev |
Safety
Our primary concern is with education. Traveling and conducting field work involves risk. Students interested in participating in our programs must weigh whether the potential risk is worth the value of education provided. While risk is inherent in everything we do, we do not take risk lightly. We engage in intensive review of each field school location prior to approval. Once a program is accepted, we review and monitor each program annually to make sure it complies with all our standards and policies, including student safety.
Students attending our international programs are covered by a comprehensive Health Insurance policy that includes physical illness or injury, mental or chronic conditions. There are no deductible and 100% of costs are covered up to $250,000. In addition, we provide Political & Natural Disaster Evacuation policy, which allow us to remove students from program location if conditions change.
Students attending our domestic programs (within the US) must have their own health insurance and provide proof upon enrollment. Program directors are familiar with local authorities and if in need of evacuation, local emergency services and/or law enforcement will be notified and activated.
We have an explicit and robust harassments & discriminations policies. If students feel they cannot discuss personal safety issues with program staff, they are welcome to call the CFS emergency hotline and talk directly with CFS staff members.
Call (+1 562 584-0761) or email (info@fieldsciences.org) if you have questions about the safety of any program.