General Information | Cost | Travel Details | Online Registration
All registration information may be found here: https://biblearchaeology.org/shiloh-excavations/50-the-shiloh-excavations/4695-shiloh-2022-online-registration
Yonder offers travelers insurance to Israel: https://www.insureyonder.com/
TRAVEL DETAILS
- 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. Or take a photo of it with your phone. 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 MAY NOT BE 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.
Yonder offers travelers insurance to Israel: https://www.insureyonder.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
Ritz Hotel Ibn Khaldun Street 8, Jerusalem
Tel +972-2-5412222
Individual Transportation from Ben Gurion Airport to Ritz Hotel / Jerusalem
The Sheroot or Nesher communal van service travelers have used in the past has gone out of business.
Trains, buses and light-rail do not run on Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening. We are recommending coordinating with other volunteers on the Shiloh Facebook page to save on taxi costs. https://www.facebook.com/groups/shilohdigteam
For a private taxi, the cost is around $100 USD.
5. Internet Access
Internet in the hotel ca be 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. 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. MARSHALLTOWN - Pointing Trowel - Masonry - 5 Inch by 2 1/2 Inch - DuraSoft Handle (off site link)
b. Whisk Broom | Handheld Brush | Durable Poly Fiber & Nylon Bristle (off site link)
9. Please pray for the safety of the Dig team and the success of the Dig!
SHILOH 2025 Schedule
Saturday May 10: Pre-Dig Tour participants check in at the Ritz Hotel
Sunday May 11 to Saturday May 17: Pre-Dig Tour
Sunday May 18: Pre-Dig Tourists not joining Shiloh Dig check out.
Sunday May 18: Supervisors organize work areas at Shiloh. Volunteers are welcome to help. Check in PM for volunteers at the Ritz/Ambassador Hotel. Arrangements may be made for earlier check in at additional cost, but there is no guarantee of room availability. Check with ABR to confirm availability and pricing for early check in. Do not contact the hotel directly to make reservations. Dig Orientation is at 5:30 PM on the Mezzanine level. Follow the crowd.
Monday May 19 to Friday May 23: Dig at Shiloh. Week One.
Saturday May 24: Diggers check out AM from the Ritz Hotel. FREE DAY.
Sunday May 25: Optional Weekend Touring. Cost: $50 to $60 with entry fees. (Diggers pay for this optional tour in Israel in cash, not in advance). Destinations: TBA
Monday May 26– Friday May 30: Dig at Shiloh. Week Two.
Saturday May 31: Diggers check out AM from the Ritz Hotel. FREE DAY.
Sunday June 1: Optional Weekend Touring. Cost: $50 to $60 with entry fees. (Diggers pay for this optional tour in Israel in cash, not in advance). Destinations: TBA
Monday June 2 – Friday June 6: Dig at Shiloh. Week Three.
Saturday June 7. Diggers check out AM from the Ritz Hotel. FREE DAY.
Sunday June 8: Optional Weekend Touring. Cost: $50 to $60 with entry fees. (Diggers pay for this optional tour in Israel in cash, not in advance). Destinations: TBA
Monday June 9 – Friday June 13: Dig at Shiloh. Week Four.
Saturday June 14: Diggers check out AM from the Ritz Hotel. FREE DAY.
Sunday June 15 – Monday June 23: Post Dig Tour
Monday June 16– Friday June 20: Restoration work at Shiloh. Volunteers are welcome. Check out Saturday 6/21 AM.
Monday June 23: Post Dig Tour participants check out AM.
COST
Excavation / Tour Costs
- Pre-Dig Tour: $1850 (check in Sat 5/10 PM, tour Sun 5/11 AM to Sun 5/18 AM check out [Diggers remain at hotel])
- One Week: $1100 (any one week interval, Sun PM check in to Sat AM check out)
- Two Weeks: $2100 (any two week interval, Sun PM check in to second Sat AM check out)
- Three Weeks: $3000 (any three week interval, Sun PM check in to third Sat AM check out)
- Four Weeks: $3700 (Sun 5/18 PM check in to Sat 6/14 AM check out)
- Post-Dig Tour: $1950 (Sat 6/14 PM check in, tour Sun 6/15 to Mon 6/23 AM check out)
- 5th Week -- Restoration Team: $975 (Sun 6/15 PM check in to Sat 6/21 AM check out)
Contact Henry Smith, Adminstrative Director, with questions or for a price quote.
https://biblearchaeology.org/contact
ABR office: 717-859-3443 / 800-430-0008
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