To give you an idea of the various tools and the jobs they perform (with your help of course), Alexis Boutin has kindly supplied this list!! Break out them leather gloves! -k.m.

Pick: The mighty pick is probably the most important, and in my opinion the most fun, implement in our line of work. It is used to break up (tear through, smash) large areas of dirt, from which pottery and other goodies can then be culled. Find me a better way to feel like Superwoman and I'll be impressed.

Turreah: This is basically a gardening hoe on steroids (See photo above). It is used to gather up the loose dirt and pull it into buckets.

Buckets: a.k.a. "barbells for the archaeologist". It is hard to conceive (actually, don't bother trying) of the sheer number of buckets of dirt that each square will produce. But good thing for us, we have…

Wheelbarrow: This guy makes our lives oh so much easier by transporting dirt from bucket to dirt-mound, not to mention inspiring such classic games as "Who can pile on the most buckets without biting it on the way down to the mound?" and "Who can make the most wheelbarrow runs in one day without collapsing of heatstroke?" Ha ha, just kidding, Dr. Schneider makes sure that no one is under-watered or over-exerted.

Trowel and patichon: These little buddies cover the detail work: articulating walls and surfaces, exposing vessels, straightening balks, etc.

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Okay, Tureah has been detained for unknown reasons and so here I am again, filling in. This edition we are going to post a few helpful things for folks to remember in order to ease the stress of sharing limited space! Lodging for the excavation project at Tel el-Far'ah (S) is being generously provided by the community members of Kibbutz Givulot- link to their website and get familiar with your "home away from home.

Alrighty! So, here's some key hints to remember to make your life (and the life of your digging partners!) and stay in Israel the best it can Be!!

• Each one of us is here to have fun and to learn. Good attitude is instrumental to a successful season and so any 'bad dude' attitudes should be checked and left at home.
• If you are not a morning person, or do not believe yourself capable of shifting your personality, STAY HOME! After the excitement has worn off and you still have to get up at 4 am, you are permitted grogginess but outright rude behavior will not be tolerated! By continuing such behavior you might be opening yourself up to more than usual pestering by fellow excavators.
• Think long and hard about any behavioral patterns you might be actively portraying; if they, in any other circumstance of your life, would annoy YOU, you probably should refrain from such behavior. And if anyone asks that you cease and desist, please comply immediately.
• Lastly, but by no means least: Bring your own laundry detergent or you'll find yourself with the many others who stalk and enclose upon those of us who came prepared like feasting tribes of lions around their prey once their last pair of clean underwear is no more.

These are but a few of the many possible tips to be given for one who is about to embark toward Tel el-Far'ah! Just keep in mind that we all really are here to learn and to meet new people: consideration is always the key to successful living!!

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[ COMING SOON!!]

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