by Rick Bonnie and Raimo Hakola

In the years 2010–2014, a team from The Faculty of Theology of the University of Helsinki participated in the excavations of a late antique synagogue at Horvat Kur, Israel. Now, from June 21 to July 17, 2015, excavation will continue and we are searching for volunteers to participate! 

The excavations are conducted by the Kinneret Regional Project, which is an international archaeological expedition to the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee under the auspices of the Universities of Bern (Switzerland), Helsinki (Finland), Leiden (The Netherlands) and Wofford College (Spartanburg/SC, USA) in collaboration with the Finnish Institute of the Middle East (FIME). The excavation team includes members from Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and the United States. 

For students of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Helsinki, the participation in the excavations and the arranged lectures compensates intermediate studies (aineopinnot) in Biblical studies. During the excavations, there are also field trips being organized to nearby archaeological sites (e.g., Capernaum, Sepphoris, Tiberias). Volunteers are free during the weekends and may arrange trips, for example, to Jerusalem, Acco or the Dead Sea.

The costs for the full season are € 1350 for students (€ 2700 for non-students). This fee includes full board and accommodation in air-conditioned rooms (4-5 persons per room) with bathroom. Volunteers need to arrange their own flights to Israel.

For those living in or near Helsinki, there will be an information meeting about the excavations on Wednesday 4th February, 16.00–18.00 hours, at the Faculty Hall (5th floor) of the Faculty of Theology, University of Helsinki.

For more information about the excavations, please visit the new website of the Kinneret Regional Project. You can register for the 2015-excavation season here (please note that the deadline for registration is February 28, 2015).