Dubai Expedition 2017 1. General Information The Sanisera Archaeology Institute organizes with The Dubai Municipality an international expedition to Sarouq Al-Hadeed archeological site from January 15 2017 to april 13 2017. Dubai Municipality is planning to complete the excavation of Sarouq Al-Hadeed and this expedition should find strategic solutions in order to make it possible and resolve the issues that most affect this settlement around its identity as a center for metal foundry, discover spaces or habitat areas, and find the sources of basic natural supply resources such as water and mines that allowed the production of a large collection of metal objects. The Sanisera Archaeology Institute has opened a period to select a group of volunteers specialized in archeology capable of performing field work excavating and studying the materials in the laboratory with good attitude, interest and be proud to be participants and protagonists of an important project scientific reference on Archaeology Near East. This expedition is funded by Dubai Municipality and therefore there is no cost for volunteers to participate, included the trip from your home to the site in Dubai (maximum $1,100), meals, transportation and accommodation. The Sarouq Al-Hadeed archeological site Sarouq Al-Hadeed is one of the important archaeological sites that has been disclosed in the past few years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and one of the main centers of copper manufacturing of various tools in the region since the beginning of the Iron Age. It is owned and managed by Dubai Municipality Architectural Heritage Department. The site contains large amounts of metal ores, and through the work of Active exploration, thousands of rare artefacts were detected such as swords and daggers, presenting the economic and religious importance that this area had in the past. Sarouq Al-Hadeed is by far the most unusual site yet recorded within the Emirate of Dubai. The most obvious feature at the site is a 7 m. deep dune covered entirely with a dense concentration of metal slag and other fragments of metal processing such as ores and grinding stones as well as abundant ceramics. The mound covers an area of about 1.5 ha, but is obscured on three sides by active dune fields. The site was once excavated jointly by the Jordanian Department of Antiquities and the Dubai Department of Archaeology, and these investigations uncovered hundreds of metal objects including complete bowls and pitchers, incense burners, jewellery and decorative objects, daggers, tools and even fish hooks.

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Most objects are bronze but a few are made of iron, and the inventory even includes one dagger with a bronze handle and iron blade. In addition to finished metal objects, excavations found dozens of whole ceramic vessels, including numerous large water jars with moulded snake decorations. As a first contact with the site by the new team of archaeologists who join the investigation of Sarouq Al-Hadeed, it is necessary a meticulous excavation and a methodological process to corroborate the results of previous campaigns, and also to analyze the stratigraphic sequence in order to know its chronological periods of occupation phases.

2. What you will learn In the Fieldwork       

How to dig and which archaeological techniques are used. Use and handling of the tools that are used during the excavation process. Basic principles of stratigraphy applying the most appropriate method of excavation. Development of the graphic documentation of plans, sections and elevations of structures and stratigraphy. Using a total station to record all archaeological objects in order to analyze their spatial location. Practice on the recognition of archaeological materials of all the occupation periods of the site. Basic procedures for sample collection.

In the laboratory 

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Study and typological classification of archaeological objects of the site: ceramics, metallic objects and faunal remains, including complete bowls and pitchers, incense burners, jewelry and decorative objects, daggers, tools and even fish hooks. Relative dating based on the classification of archaeological objects discovered in the stratigraphic sequence.

Theory   

History, archaeology, economy and culture of the Near East Archaeology. Introduction to the History of the site. Archaeology and Anthropology of Dubai Municipality.

Direct at The archaeological expedition of Dubai is not a simple adventure to recover artifacts of great artistic value. This project is organized as an archaeological mission and its main objective is to plan an intensive excavation of the site to gather as much information as possible in a relatively short time, aspiring to achieve outstanding scientific results in the short term.

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If you are a motivated candidate who wants to experiment with your hands on a dig and wish to cooperate as volunteer in an international team, this project is for you. If you want to gain knowledge in the general areas of anthropology or archeology, or even introduce you to the world of the Near East Archaeology, participating in this expedition can help greatly to acquire a degree of advanced knowledge in research that will serve to guide you in the direction where you have to focus your expertise and develop your academic work. If you are interested in gaining experience in full-time field work and maximum concentration, and also want the technical direction of the scientific team to assign you responsibilities and specific tasks as if you were a member of the technical team, this intervention may interest you. Participating in this archaeological mission will enrich your personal curriculum and can form you as a real candidate for archaeological positions in a professional level. The excavation of the site of Saroup Al-Hadeed is a collaborative project with other archaeological research teams coming from the local government of Dubai and specialized international universities in Near East Archaeology. During your stay in the excavation campaign you will interact with them and will share moments and situations that will enrich your experience and academic knowledge. Living in the expedition As long as the weather conditions do allow it, the schedule of excavation will be organized in five consecutive working days per week with an interval of two days for rest: Fridays and Saturdays. During rest days we will have vehicles to move to the city of Dubai and surroundings to enjoy leisure activities, museums, etc. The time for the excavation and processing of materials in the laboratory will be eight hours per day. The volunteer's stay in Dubai is 88 days. There are one stablished session (see Session, dates & Deadlines). Accommodation is free. It is located in a large newly built residential building belonging to the government of Dubai and it is very near the site (short walking distance). The Building has excellent, comfortable and convenient conditions to stay, differentiated by sex bedrooms (max. 4 people per room), bathroom, dining room and living room, kitchen and others as a laboratory. It has air conditioning and internet. The meals consist of breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is free and will be prepared by the logistics service that will also be in charge of the maintenance and cleaning. In the excavation English, Arabic and Spanish are spoken. Accident insurance is included. In case of illness, the Government of Dubai is responsible for the costs arising from this cause.

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Personal attitude Analyze yourself for a moment and think if you can get, you want or you have the following qualities to face your stay away from home, working in scientific tasks that you are not used to:     

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Open spirit and mind to respect the culture, tradition, religion, customs and cuisine of the country to which you will travel and stay for a while, in this case Dubai. Be patient and take a cordial and friendly attitude with the rest of your excavation team mates with which you are going to live with and share a long time without judging their condition, degree of knowledge or personality. Absolute collaboration for any unexpected task you can be assigned for. Take responsibilities when it is required by the team. Be aware that you are part of a team as an active member that integrates volunteer staff, scientific technical section and logistics and maintenance assistants. We all have a task and each of us wants the excavation to have excellent results and success. No one is used to live in a desert. You should be aware that it is an adverse landscape, but with dedication, patience, energy and enthusiasm it is possible to dig adopting health and safety measures to avoid unnecessary risks.

Certificates At the end of the Expedition, volunteers will receive a certificate of participation stating the hours and activities. Participants that perform exceedingly well in the archaeological mission may receive a letter of recommendation from our organization upon request.

Sessions, dates & deadline Sessions

Dates of the expedition

Deadline to apply

Final selection

Session #01

2017 | January 15 - April 13

October 05

October 20

Overview of the process Phase #1 - Complete de the application form if you want to excavate as a volunteer. Please, take the deadlines into account depending on the dates in witch you wish to participate. Phase #2 - Accepting applications. The candidate can apply for one or more sessions. If it's required, we would ask you for more information about your academic profile. Phase #3 - Final selection. Two days after the deadline date of each session we will notify the selected candidates obtaining the grant to participate in the expedition.

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Grant The participation in the Dubai expedition is for volunteers, 100% funded and it includes:     

Transportation from/to Dubai airport. Accommodation in the research center with the archaeology team, located close to the site. Participation in the archaeological mission during 88 days. The scholarship includes all meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Airfare ticket from/to volunteer’s home to Dubai in the dates of start and end of the expedition. The maximum amount of the airfare grant is $ 1,100.

Note: that the volunteer must pay his/her ticket and we will refund the amount (max. $1,100) at the end of the expedition in Dubai by presenting the air company bill. Important: if the volunteer leaves the excavation without any justified cause, she/he will lose the grant and the flight ticket price will not be refundable. Accommodation, transportation and meals costs will not be covered out of the indicated dates of the assigned session.

Call The selection of candidates will be based on the aspects indicated in the list that follows, without any preference and giving to each one the importance it deserves depending on the candidate's academic profile and the technical interests for Sanisera Archaeology Institute:     

Previous participation in any field schools organized by Sanisera Archaeology Institute, Ecomuseum Cavalleria and/or other field school opportunities directed by other entities or universities. Academic training related to university studies in anthropology or archeology. Participation in courses or/and attending conferences related to this scientific discipline. Author of publications in journals, blogs, etc. Volunteer experience in developing group activities or being an active member of a NGO.

If you do not meet any of the items listed, "do not throw in the towel", for us it is also important to select motivated candidates who want to experience for the first time an excavation fieldwork and aspiring to cooperate as volunteers in teamwork. No archaeologist learned from nothing, all had their first day, and maybe now, your opportunity has arrived.

Information & Reservations For more information, contact: Email: [email protected] Web page: www.archaeology.institute

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