Shiloh Dig | Volunteering | Shiloh Spring 2023 Excavation & Tours | Research & Reports | Support | Photos | Videos | Meet the Dig Staff

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. THE HOTEL IS FULL. Contact us at comments@biblearchaeology.org with inquiries. March 10, 2023

"GO NOW TO MY PLACE THAT WAS IN SHILOH, WHERE I MADE MY NAME DWELL..." Jeremiah 7:12

The Shiloh Excavation is one of ABR’s most important research projects. The Tabernacle stood at Shiloh for 300 years, where the people of Israel gathered to worship. This is where the Ark of the Covenant resided! We have a number of core goals for the Shiloh dig:

• Investigate the location of the biblical tabernacle and any associated structures.
• Uncover evidence of the biblical sacrificial system.
• Understand daily life in Israel at the time of the Conquest and the period of the Judges.
• Introduce the new technologies of wet-sifting and computerization in the field.
• Equip students and volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to scientifically excavate in the Land of the Bible.
• Build on the regional understanding of life in the Highlands of Israel gained by ABR's previous excavations at Khirbet Nisya (1979-2002) and Khirbet el-Maqatir (1995-2016).
  
  

 SHILOH SPRING DIG 2023

SCHEDULE

Pre-Dig Tour: Sat PM 5/13 check in, tour Sun 5/14 AM to Sun 5/21 AM check out (diggers will remain at hotel) CLOSED

Week One Excavation: 5/22 to 5/26 CLOSED

Weekend Tour: Sunday 5/28 (optional, pay in cash in Israel, not part of pricing)

Week Two Excavation: 5/29 to 6/2 CLOSED

Weekend Tour: Sunday 6/4 (optional, pay in cash in Israel, not part of pricing)

Week Three Excavation: 6/5 to 6/9 CLOSED

Weekend Tour: Sunday 6/11 (optional, pay in cash in Israel, not part of pricing)

Week Four Excavation: 6/12 to 6/16 CLOSED

Post-Dig Tour: check in Sat 6/17, tour Sun 6/18 to Mon 6/26 AM check out CLOSED

Week Five Restoration: Sunday 6/18 to Sat 6/24 AM check out CLOSED

General Information | Cost | Travel Details | Online Registration

SHILOH Spring 2023 Excavation

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. THE HOTEL IS FULL. Contact us at comments@biblearchaeology.org with inquiries. March 10, 2023

GENERAL INFORMATION
All subject to change without notice (UPDATED 02/14/2023)

We are looking for those who wish to join us as volunteer participants (no experience needed!) in what is likely to be a historic season of digging at ancient Shiloh. Each year ABR also offers Pre-dig and Post-dig Tours of important sites in Israel let by our ABR professional dig staff that you will not want to miss. The tours are open to everyone interested, whether you are a digger during our excavations at Shiloh or not. So the opportunity to tour is open to all!

The Shiloh Spring Excavation will be conducted for 5 weeks with the first four weeks designated for digging and the fifth week is for restoration.
- Participants may choose to join for one, two, three, four, or all five weeks from Sunday [3 PM check in time] to the following Saturday [AM check out time].

Pre & Post-Dig Tours are also available before and after the dates of the Shiloh dig excavations for any interested person as well as offered at reduced prices for any dig participant.
- Tour includes 3 meals, park entrance fees, bus driver tip, bus transport, and hotel.
-  The Excavation and Tour teams will be staying at the RITZ HOTEL, 8 Ibn Khaldoun Street, Jerusalem, Israel.

Itinerary is subject to change without notice.
- Possible tour 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, and Holy Sepulcher.

SCHEDULE

Pre-Dig Tour: Sat PM 5/13 check in, tour Sun 5/14 AM to Sun 5/21 AM check out (diggers will remain at hotel) CLOSED

Week One Excavation: 5/22 to 5/26 CLOSED

Weekend Tour: Sunday 5/28 (optional, pay in cash in Israel, not part of pricing)

Week Two Excavation: 5/29 to 6/2 CLOSED

Weekend Tour: Sunday 6/4 (optional, pay in cash in Israel, not part of pricing)

Week Three Excavation: 6/5 to 6/9 CLOSED

Weekend Tour: Sunday 6/11 (optional, pay in cash in Israel, not part of pricing)

Week Four Excavation: 6/12 to 6/16 CLOSED

Post-Dig Tour: check in Sat 6/17, tour Sun 6/18 to Mon 6/26 AM check out CLOSED

Week Five Restoration: Sunday 6/18 to Sat 6/24 AM check out CLOSED

Next >> Cost

Quick Links: Shiloh Dig Home   

General Information | Cost | Travel Details | Online Registration

Shiloh Spring 2023 Excavation

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. THE HOTEL IS FULL. Contact us at comments@biblearchaeology.org with inquiries. March 10, 2023

COST

Excavation / Tour Costs

1. Pre-Dig Tour: $1750 (check in Sat 5/13 PM, tour Sun 5/14 AM to Sun 5/21 AM check out [Diggers remain at hotel])

2. One Week: $1100 (any one week interval, Sun PM check in to Sat AM check out)

3. Two Weeks: $2100 (any two week interval, Sun PM check in to second Sat AM check out)

4. Three Weeks: $3000 (any three week interval, Sun PM check in to third Sat AM check out)

5. Four Weeks: $3700 (Sun 5/21 PM check in to Sat 6/17 AM check out)

6. Post-Dig Tour: $1950 (Sat 6/17 PM check in, tour Sun 6/18 to Mon 6/26 AM check out)

7. 5th Week -- Restoration Team: $850 (Sun 6/18 PM check in to Sat 6/24 AM check out)

These rates include:
- Double or Triple occupancy (SINGLE ROOMS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE AS OF FEBRUARY 2, 2023)
- 3 meals a day (Lunch is ONLY included on Dig days, and not on weekends during the Dig season. However, lunch IS included on the pre and post Dig Tours)
- Transport by bus to and from the Dig
- Evening education classes

PARTICIPANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE OR THEIR OWN TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS, INCLUDING FLIGHTS AND TRANSPORT TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT
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

A $500 per person deposit is due on a first come, first serve basis. We highly recommend sending in your deposit ASAP after you have completed your online registration to reserve your space.
- Full payment is due APRIL 1, 2023 though we will take applications after that date ONLY if rooms are still available.
- Some Dig participants may be asked to bring $400 US Dollars cash to Israel and submit to the ABR staff as their final payment (deducted from their total payment accordingly). 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 some diggers bring their final payments in cash resolves these problems. Thanks for understanding!

Additional Dig Costs:

Holy Land Weekend Touring
During the Dig, three weekend 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 $60-$75 per day.

Contact Henry Smith, Adminstrative Director, with questions or for a price quote. 
https://biblearchaeology.org/contact

ABR office: 717-859-3443 / 800-430-0008

Next >> Travel Details

Quick Links: Shiloh Dig Home

General Information | Cost | Travel Details | Online Registration

Shiloh Spring 2023 Excavation

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. THE HOTEL IS FULL. Contact us at comments@biblearchaeology.org with inquiries. March 10, 2023

ONLINE REGISTRATION
There are multiple steps involved. All steps must be completed!

1. Click Here to fill out registration form  (off-site link)
A confirmation letter and registration packet will be emailed to you after receipt of your deposit, including your final price and extensive information on traveling, safety, further study, touring, lectures, etc.

2. Download and complete the Liability Release form
Make sure to initial and complete all witness signatures required. Minors must have a guardian signature as well.
This form must be scanned/photographed and emailed to: comments@biblearchaeology.org OR mailed to the ABR office: Associates for Biblical Research / PO Box 144 / Akron, PA 17501

3. Submit $500 deposit and/or final payment per individual via check or card. (deposit due ASAP, final payments are due April 1, 2023)
Help ABR save on Credit Card bank fees by paying by check, if you are able. Mail check to the ABR office: Associates for Biblical Research / PO Box 144 / Akron, PA 17501

Debit / Credit Card Payment and Instructions
Go to our secure donation page: https://biblearchaeology.org/supportabr

1. In the ONE TIME GIFT field, click on OTHER and enter the proper dollar amont.
2. Then, under SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS type PAYMENT FOR SHILOH DIG SPRING 2023
   
3. 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 Credit Card through PayPal as a guest.
   

4. Forward your official flight information to comments@biblearchaeology.org once you have it booked.

5. Meet the Dig Team on Facebook! (optional)
Join the Shiloh facebook page right now to interact with others who are also going to Shiloh! A great place to tag yourself and easily share photos and videos that the ABR staff posts as you are on the excavations... start discussions... ask questions... get connected!

Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/shilohdigteam/

Contact Henry Smith, Adminstrative Director, with questions or for a price quote. 
https://biblearchaeology.org/contact

ABR office: 717-859-3443 / 800-430-0008

Quick Links: Shiloh Dig Home / Shiloh Spring 2023 Excavation (General Information, Cost, Travel Details, Online Registration)

General Information | Cost | Travel Details | Online Registration

TRAVEL DETAILS

1. HIGH IMPORTANCE! Passport
   Immediately procure a passport from your country. If you already have one, the expiration date of the passport must extend SIX MONTHS BEYOND YOUR DEPARTURE DATE FROM ISRAEL. 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 or YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED INTO THE COUNTRY!
   
   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 webiste.
   

Bring a clear photocopy of your passport in case you lose it. This will help in procuring a new one.

2. Traveler's and Health Insurance
a. All travelers must purchase traveler's 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 Shiloh is located.

b. 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. To our knowledge, MEDICARE IS NOT ACCEPTED OUTSIDE THE US. All travelers must thoroughly document their medications, and provide family and doctor emergency contact information.

c. Medical Evacuation Insurance should be purchased as well, in case a traveler needs to be transported to US. Without insurance, this could cost more than $100,000.

IMG offers plans for all three needs: Traveler's, Health, and Evacuation Insurance. For more info: https://www.imglobal.com/

3. 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.

4. Accomodations
The Excavation and Tour teams will be staying at the RITZ HOTEL, 8 Ibn Khaldoun Street, Jerusalem, Israel

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.

Individual Transportation from Ben Gurion Airport to Ritz Hotel / Jerusalem

To get from Ben Gurion airport to Ritz Hotel / Jerusalem, take a communal taxi known in Hebrew as a “sheroot” or “nesher.” Take the taxi/sheroot service stand to Jerusalem, which is on the curbside just outside the airport arrival hall. Tell the driver you want to be dropped off at: ❖Ritz Hotel / East Jerusalem Ibn Khaldoun St # 8. ❖Tel (02) 626-9900 The drivers are familiar with the location, but if you need a landmark, the hotel is directly behind the Albright Institute. Other passengers will ride in the same taxi/van with you. They run 24-7, except on Yom Kippur. Saturday service can be spotty at times.The cost is about $30.00 (100.00 Shekels) from the airport to the Hotel. For a private taxi the cost is around $80.00 (300.00 Shekels). Tipping is optional. If you tip, a few shekels is fine. Ritz Hotel–Tel. # 02-626-9900

5. Internet Access
Internet 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.

6. 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.

7. 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. You can request a receipt from ABR in the January following the dig. These will no longer be sent automatically. Please consult a tax professional for advice.

8. Dig Supplies: Some supplies are difficult to purchase in Israel or buy in bulk to carry overseas. Please consider bringing one or both of the following as a donation to the Shiloh Dig:

a. Rubbermaid Commercial 12 Inch Corn Whisk Broom (off site link).

b. Alpine Industries Heavy-Duty Black Metal Dustpan (off site link).

9. Please pray for the safety of the Dig team and the success of the Dig!

Contact Henry Smith, Adminstrative Director, with questions or for a price quote. 
https://biblearchaeology.org/contact

ABR office: 717-859-3443 / 800-430-0008

Next >> Online Registration

Quick Links: Shiloh Dig Home

Have you always dreamed of being on an archaeological excavation in the Holy Land? Now is your chance to join the Associates for Biblical Research team in Israel as we excavate Shiloh in SUMMER 2023! Sign up today at: www.DigShiloh.org

The Associates for Biblical Research is excited to announce that the 2021 Shiloh Dig and Tours are now open for registration.

SIGN UP TODAY!

Shiloh Excavations:
Please visit www.digshiloh.org for the latest information

Shiloh Dig Home | Volunteering | Shiloh Spring 2022 Excavation & Tours | Research & Reports | Support | Photos | Videos | Meet the Dig Staff

History of the Site

Ancient Shiloh was first established in the Middle Bronze (MB) II period, around 1700 B.C. It was expanded in MB III, around 1600 B.C. and was continuously occupied until the middle of Iron Age I (around 1070 B.C.) when the Philistines destroyed it (See I Samuel 4). It was rebuilt in Iron II (980-587 B.C.) and was occupied through Early Roman times. The Byzantines and Crusaders also built structures there. Most importantly, it was the center of Israelite worship for at least 300 years. The tabernacle was erected at Shiloh and may have been later replaced by a more permanent structure. The city is in the territory of Ephraim, Joshua’s tribe.

History of Excavations

Shiloh was excavated for three seasons by a Danish team between 1926 and 1932 and again in 1963. Israel Finkelstein worked the site from 1981-84. Although a minimalist, Finkelstein confirmed the presence of “proto-Israelites” from the time of the Conquest through the period of the Judges. A very large deposit of burned cultic bones was uncovered, confirming a sacrificial system. Like at Maqatir, the Israelites built their houses against the MB wall. After Finkelstein, the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria (KAMAT) renewed sporadic excavations at Shiloh in 1988. To date, ancient gates have not yet been found, but there was a glacis (fortification slope) and fortified wall that surrounded the site, which no doubt will eventually lead to the gate(s). 

Associates for Biblical Research has been excavating at Shiloh since 2017.

Extensive Bibliography on Shiloh: Updated August 31, 2018 (PDF).

Reports from the 2023 Excavation Season

The 2023 Shiloh Dig Study Packet (PDF Download from Dropbox)

Reports from the 2022 Excavation Season

The 2022 Shiloh Dig Study Packet (PDF Download from Dropbox)

Reports from the 2021 Excavation Season (CANCELED)

Reports from the 2020 Excavation Season (CANCELED)

Reports from the 2019 Excavation Season

Video Reports from the 2019 Excavation Season on YouTube

Tel Shiloh 2019 Excavation Report: Submitted to the Staff Officer of the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria: PDF Download from DropBox

Reports from the 2018 Excavation Season

Tel Shiloh 2018 Excavation Report: Submitted to the Staff Officer of the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria: PDF Download from DropBox

The Shiloh Excavations 2018: Season 2 Week 1

The Shiloh Excavations 2018: Season 2 Week 2

The Shiloh Excavations 2018: Season 2 Week 3

The Shiloh Excavations 2018: Season 2 Week 4

The Shiloh Excavations 2018: Season 2 Week 5

Reports from the 2017 Excavation Season

Tel Shiloh 2017 Excavation Report: Submitted to the Staff Officer of the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria: PDF Download from DropBox

The Shiloh Excavations 2017: Season 1 Week 1

The Shiloh Excavations 2017: Season 1 Week 2

The Shiloh Excavations 2017: Season 1 Week 3

The Shiloh Excavations 2017: Season 1 Week 4

The Shiloh Excavations 2017: Season 1 Week 5: Conservation Work

Other Resources on Shiloh

Tim Lopez, Scott Stripling and David Ben-Shlomo “A Ceramic Pomegranate from Shiloh.” JSRS Volume 28, No. 1, 2019, 37–56.

Scott Stripling, "The Israelite Tabernacle at Shiloh." Bible and Spade 29:3 (2016): 88-95.

2013 Roundup of Significant New Discoveries "These buildings were destroyed in a fierce conflagration. Burnt floors were found all over. Collapsed burnt bricks accumulated on these floors to a height of more than three feet. Some of the bricks had been baked by the blaze that had raged here. Roof collapse was discernible in many places. All this dramatic evidence of fire must be associated with the destruction of Shiloh by the Philistines after they defeated the Israelites near Ebenezer in the mid-11th century B.C. Jeremiah knew what he was talking about when he later threatened the people with destruction like Shiloh’s."

Livyatan-ben-Aryeh, Reut, and Hananya Hizmi. “The Excavations at the Northern Platform of Tel Shiloh the 2012-2013 Seasons [Translated from Hebrew].” Edited by D. Scott Stripling and David E. Graves. Translated by Hillel Richman. Judea and Samarea Studies 23 (2014): 113–30.

Amihai Mazar, "Archaeology and the Bible: Reflections on History Memory in the Deuteronomistic History," in Congress Volume Munich 2013 (Vetus Testamentum Supplementum), ed. C.M. Maier, (Leiden:Brill, 2013): 350-351. (off site link).

Israel Finkelstein, Shlomo Bunimovitz, Zvi Lederman and Baruch Brandl. Shiloh: The Archaeology of a Biblical Site. Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University. 1993.

Marie-Louise Buhl and Svend Holm-Nielsen. Shiloh: The Danish Excavations at Tall Sailon, Palestine in 1926, 1929, 1932, and 1963: Pre-Hellenistic Remains. The National Museum of Denmark. 1969.

Donald G. Schley. Shiloh: A Biblical City in Tradition. Sheffield Academic Press. 1989.

David Rubin. God, Israel, and Shiloh. Shiloh Israel Press. 2011.

Holy Land Magazine, "Go Now to My Place at Shiloh," 2016. (off-site link)

From Ramesses to Shiloh: Archaeological Discoveries Bearing on the Exodus-Judges Period Fall of Shiloh (l Sam. 1-4). Significant architecture from the Iron Age I, the time of Eli, has been excavated at Khirbet Seilun, ancient Shiloh, 17 km south of Shechem. All traces of Iron Age and earlier occupation on the summit of the site unfortunately were removed by later building activity. On the slopes, however, enough material from the Iron Age I period has been found to determine that the settlement at that time was 2 1/2 to 3 acres in size.

Archaeological-ages-handout-Wood-2016.pdf (29.12 kb)

JSRS_Vol28-1_Eng_2-Lopez_2019-06-23_Web_copy.pdf

Tabernacle-Stripling-BS-Fall-2016.pdf

The Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) is conducting the Excavations at Biblical Shiloh for which we are seeking help and partnerships from other evangelical institutions and individuals. Because of limited resources, ABR cannot effectively complete this project by itself. Therefore, educational institutions, churches, Christian ministries, corporations and private individuals are invited to participate in the endeavor.

ABR is forming a consortium of interested parties to carry out the excavation. ABR will supply the professional expertise, organization, and leadership for the project while consortium members will be called upon to provide manpower and funding.  In conjunction with the Shiloh Dig, optional touring of major Biblical and archaeological sites in Israel is offered.

As part of its mission to train others in the field archaeology, ABR conducts a Field School as an integral part of the tour and excavation. ABR recognizes that the level of funding available from prospective members of the consortium varies. Therefore, several levels of participation, with a sliding scale of benefits, have been established. Membership in the consortium is on a yearly basis.

All consortium members receive the following benefits:

• A unique opportunity to participate in what may be one of the most important discoveries in Biblical archaeology in defense of the Scriptures.
• Recognition in the publication of the excavation results.
• Copies of all publications pertaining to the excavation.
• Participation in the ABR Field School. The Field School consists of  evening lectures by the core staff on places visited while touring, archaeological methodology, pottery typology, and lectures related to Shiloh.
• Member schools are encouraged to offer credit to students taking part in the program.
• A faculty member who participates in the excavation on a regular basis is given the opportunity to be trained as a Square Supervisor. The faculty member is then assigned his/her own square to excavate, along with students from the faculty member’s institution.
• Authorization to publicize participation in the excavation.

Levels of consortium membership, with corresponding benefits:

Consortium Patron— Supports the project with an annual gift of $6,000.00 or more. Qualifies for the “Five for One” faculty participation plan for an unlimited number of faculty members. For each five students from the faculty members’ institution participating in the program at full cost for a minimum of two weeks, one faculty member’s room and board will be covered.

Consortium Sponsor— Supports the project with an annual gift of $3,000.00. Qualifies for the “Five for One” faculty participation plan for two faculty members. For each five students from the faculty members’ institution participating in the program at full cost for a minimum of two weeks, 50 % of a faculty member’s room and board will be covered, up to a total of two faculty members.

Consortium Member—Supports the project with an annual gift of $1,000.00. Groups and individuals who become Consortium Members will be recognized in pertinent ABR publications.

Our consortium package allows for these different levels of participation, depending upon the interests and objectives of your institution. Levels of participation can be customized to fit the unique circumstances of your school. This project is being conducted with the highest level of academic rigor, and most importantly, with fidelity to the Scriptures as the inerrant and authoritative Word of God.

Please contact Henry B. Smith Jr., Administrative Director of the Shiloh Excavations, for more information on how your organization can be involved in one of the most exciting archaeological and apologetic projects ever!