Volunteer at Khirbet ʿAuja el-Foqa

Dates: We will have a four-week season from May 19-June 15, 2024.

Location: Khirbet ʿAuja el-Foqa, Israel

The site of Khirbet ʿAuja el-Foqa is a fortified town located roughly five miles northwest of Jericho, on the top of a hill, about 100 meters above its surroundings. An intensive archaeological survey, along with two seasons of excavation, have revealed that the walled town was established In the Iron Age II during the period of ancient Israel’s Divided Monarchy.

This fascinating site contains dozens of structures and is encircled by a casemate wall. The site is rich with finds, especially pottery dated to the ninth and eighth centuries BCE. We found a few chalices, which are sometimes associated with religious rituals. We also found several decorated and imported vessels, along with a relatively large group of iron tools and weapons, as well as stone vessels and sling-stones. It can be identified with biblical Naarah (Josh 16:7), and probably served a similar purpose on the eastern frontier as Khirbet Qeiyafa did for Israel’s western border: an administrative “capital” and military center of the southern Jordan Valley during the Iron Age II.  

We have conducted five seasons of excavation so far, which have clearly established the importance of Khirbet ʿAuja el-Foqa in the region during the period of the Divided Kingdom. In May of 2024, we will return to the site for another season of excavation. Join JVEP as a volunteer on this pioneering excavation and experience Israel like never before! Go here