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For information regarding participation in the Tel Akko Archaeological Field School for 2012, please contact Professor Ann E. Killebrew at aek11@psu.edu.
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This 6-credit archaeological field school or 6-credit underwater and terrestrial archaeology field school at Tel Akko integrates the multifaceted aspects of twenty-first-century archaeology that combines excavation, survey, geographic information systems (GIS), conservation, heritage studies, public archaeology, and underwater archaeology/science diving. 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 Tell Napoleon 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. The archaeological field school is led by Dr. Ann Killebrew, co-director of the Tel Akko excavations and Penn State faculty member. The science diving program is led by Dr. Tim White, senior research associate in Penn State's Earth and Environmental Systems Institute, member of the graduate faculty in Geosciences, and director and dive safety officer for the Penn State Science Diving program.
This field school includes beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of archaeological fieldwork, and science diving training. 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. 
Beginning students should select one of the following 6-credit course offerings:
CAMS/ANTH/JST 499 (6 credits) entails excavation, intensive survey, and an introduction to GIS for archaeologists.
or
CAMS/ANTH/JST 499 (6 credits) includes excavation, an introduction to on-site conservation, and heritage and public archaeology issues.
Intermediate- and advanced-level courses entail training for professional staff and supervisory positions, including field documentation, surveying, and/or artifact analysis. These courses require the permission of the program instructor. Note that the advanced course ends on July 31. Advanced students should select one of the following 6-credit course offerings:
Advanced archaeology students: CAMS/ANTH/JST 496 (6 credits) with the permission of Dr. Ann E. Killebrew
or
Graduate-level students: CAMS 597 (6 credits)
or
EM SC 499 (3 credits) includes an introduction to science diving and underwater archaeology. Students are required to submit a valid SCUBA certification from an
internationally recognized training agency and proof of recent diving activity.
Advanced science diving students: EM SC 496 (3 credits) (with the permission of Dr. Tim White)
and
Students in EM SC 499 will also be required to enroll in CAMS/ANTH/JST 499 (3 credits) as part of the underwater archaeology component.
Students can also participate in the post-dig archaeological study tour of Israel (CAMS/RL ST/JST 012).
For information regarding participation in the Tel Akko Archaeological Field School for 2012, please contact Professor Ann E. Killebrew at aek11@psu.edu.
Accommodations: Students participating in the Akko Field School will reside at the Nautical Academy, located in the modern city of Akko on the Mediterranean Sea. The
rooms will be dormitory-style, featuring full board accommodations with three to four students per room.
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