Hippos (Sussita) of the Decapolis Excavations Project

Location: Hippos, IL

Season: June 28, 2026 to July 23, 2026

Session Dates: Full Season (four weeks): June 28 - July 23

Application Deadline: April 1, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.dighippos.com/

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
The Hippos Excavations Project is affiliated with the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa and partners with ASOR and Anthropocene Research Center.

Project Director:
Co-Director - Dr. Michael Eisenberg, The Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa Co-Director - Dr. Arleta Kowalewska, The Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa

Project Description:

There are two paths to enroll in this program: If you are a student and wish to earn 8 semester credits units and have US based insurance (health, liability, etc), you must enroll through the Anthropocene Research Center. If you are a volunteer and do not wish to earn academic credits, you can enroll through the Hippos website. We will issue no Certificate of Completion for participants attending through the Hippos enrollment path.

Hippos Excavations Project is one of the main long running and exciting Classical Archaeology digs in Israel. As from the year 2000, our international team unearths various building complexes that allow a reconstruction of the ancient cityscape and a better understanding of the public, military, private and funerary architecture. The ancient Graeco-Roman city of Hippos of the Decapolis is located on a hill above the Sea of Galilee, with one of the most breathtaking panoramas in Israel. We study and reconstruct the way of life of its inhabitants in the various periods, from its foundation in the Hellenistic period (mid-2nd century BCE), through its Roman-period time of prosperity (64 BCE – mid-4th century CE), to the Christian transformation in the Byzantine period (mid-4th to mid-7th century CE) and other changes that happened after the Islamic takeover (mid-7th century CE to 749 CE earthquake). Perched on an isolated hill and devastated by an earthquake after which it was never rebuilt, Hippos is an ideal site for archaeologists to study an evolution of a city.

During 2026 season the we shall continue exploring the a Roman-Byzantine cardo with its surrounding insulae and mosaic floors; the The Roman-period theater at the Saddle Compound, and the necropoleis. Hippos is an international project and the official language is English. All lectures and afternoon activities are conducted in English. All activities, including weekends in the kibbutz and tours, are included in the cost.

Come and help us unearth the mysteries of Hippos hidden beneath the debris of the 749 earthquake!

Period(s) of Occupation: Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad

Notes:
The Hippos expedition fee provides full room and board for participants. We provide afternoon lectures and tours to other archaeological sites and places of interest, all part of the program fee. We acknowledge the financial efforts made by the participants to pay the program fee. We do our utmost best to ensure that no extra expenses will be needed to attend this program.

Project Size: 25-49 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: One week

Minimum Age: 16 for general participants

Experience Required: Non

Room and Board Arrangements:
Well maintained air-conditioned rooms, 2-4 per room, in kibbutz Ein-Gev on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Full lodging with three meals a day is provided. Price includes afternoon excursions, site entrance fees, cultural activities, and weekends lodging as well. Cost: $2,990 for full session (four weeks)/$825 for one week

Academic Credit:
Tuition for enrollment through the Anthropocene Research Center is $4,690. Tuition includes the cost of 8 semester credit units (equivalent to 12 quarter units), $0 deductible health & evacuation insurance, as well as US based liability insurance. For more details and enrolment, visit the Hippos Field School page on the ARC website.