Participants will assist Dr. Ran Boytner of UCLA's Institute of Archaeology in continuing the decades-long excavation of this rich archaeological site. By carefully examining the material record, team members will better understand the shift from pagan and Christian to Islamic ideology and the changing political hegemony of the region. Mornings will be devoted to excavation while afternoons will be used for lab work - the cleaning and cataloging of artifacts and the documenting of the day's excavation activity. Team members will stay at a comfortable hotel. Located at the northernmost tip of the Sea of Galilee, Khirbet Minya is surrounded by banana plantations and offers magnificent views of the Galilee Hills and the Golan Heights.
Weather is hot and humid.
It is located in northern Israel, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The site is the earliest Ummayad palace in the region, which makes it a primary location for the study of the history and development of Islamic art and architecture. It is also a key site for the understanding of power and ideological relationships between local residents and the newly-arrived Kahllifs, during a period of great political turmoil. Designated a national park, Khirbet Minya is legally protected, and large parts of the site are still standing today. For instance, some of the walls near the gatehouse reach five meters in height, and the walls of many rooms are clearly visible.