Israel Summer Field School: Tel Akko
This unique and multi-faceted archaeological summer field school at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Akko works with students to design their own 6-credit academic program especially suited to their individual needs and interests. Offerings include archaeological methods and excavation, survey and GIS, conservation and community outreach and archaeological sciences. Independent studies and internships relevant to the history and archaeology of Akko and its eastern Mediterranean context are also possible. This summer program is cross-listed and fulfills Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, Jewish Studies and Anthropology course requirements.
Located on the Mediterranean Sea and the only natural harbor in the region, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Acre/Akko is the focus of this unique and cutting-edge archaeological field school. Throughout its history, Akko has served as a major emporium for the ancient world. Bronze and Iron Age Akko appears prominently in ancient Egyptian, Ugaritic, Assyrian, Classical, and biblical accounts. Known locally as Napoleon's Hill or Tell el-Fukhar, excavations on this ancient mound, situated east of the modern city of Akko, have uncovered remains of Canaanite, "Sea Peoples," Phoenician, Persian, Greek, and Hellenistic culture. During more recent times, it is famous as the city that withstood Napoleon's two-month siege and marked the end of his campaign to conquer the Middle East. Today Akko is a major tourist destination, well known for its picturesque and historic Ottoman period town that is constructed on the ruins of the best-preserved Crusader city in the world.
Dr. Ann Killebrew, Penn State faculty member and co-director of the Tel Akko excavations, leads the archaeological field school. The field school includes beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of archaeological fieldwork. The beginner's courses introduce students to archaeological field methods, a general overview of the history and material culture of ancient Israel and the eastern Mediterranean, and hands-on artifact processing. Lectures, workshops, lab work, and field trips to archaeological sites and museums will complement the fieldwork. These courses fulfill the 6-credit archaeological fieldwork requirement for the undergraduate CAMS archaeology option and ANTH field school requirement.
Students participating in the Akko Field School reside at the Nautical Academy, located in the modern city of Akko on the Mediterranean Sea. The rooms are dormitory-style, featuring full board accommodations with three to four students per room.
"I had such a great experience in Akko. Monday through Friday we were at the tel all morning. We learned techniques to dig and carefully unearthed layers of history. On the weekends we would travel together to other areas in Israel, and in our free time we would go to the beach and explore the city of Akko. I am so happy I was able to share this experience with a great group of people in an amazing country."
Monica Genuardi, Tel Akko Field School Alum 2013
Tel Akko Municipal Park with Statue of Napolean
For details about the Tel Akko field school, contact Professor Ann Killebrew. For more information on the excavation, see the Tel Akko website at http://plone4prod.la.psu.edu/telakko
For additional information and application details, go to Tel Akko, Israel: Excavation, Survey and GIS, Conservation/Public Archaeology, Archaeological Sciences and Underwater Archaeology in Education Abroad at the Penn State Global Programs Office.