Strata: 2015 BAR Scholarship Winners

Hot, dusty days and nights full of learning—this is the life of an archaeologist during the excavation season. Working from dawn to dusk, everyone—from excavation directors to first-year volunteers—contributes to the effort of unearthing and interpreting the past. This is no easy task but requires countless hours of pickaxing, hauling dirt, sweeping floors, measuring, sifting, washing pottery and a host of other duties.

Much of this would not be possible without archaeological volunteers. They are the fuel that powers excavations.

This past summer, excavations throughout the Biblical world benefited from the hard work, enthusiasm and generosity of volunteers. BAR was able to provide scholarships of $1,500 each to 19 qualified individuals who would otherwise not have been able to participate in an archaeological excavation.

The 2015 scholarship recipients were chosen from a pool of more than 90 applicants. This diverse group includes students and professionals who were accepted to dig at sites in Israel and the West Bank.

On behalf of the scholarship winners, BAR offers our warm thanks to the generous donors who made this year’s scholarship program possible:

• Kenneth and Ann Bialkin
• George Blumenthal
• Edward and Raynette Boshell
• Eugene and Emily Grant
• Victor R. Kieser
• Leon Levy Foundation, Shelby White, trustee
• John and Carol Merrill
• Daniel Mintz and Meredith Berkman
• Jonathan Rosen
• Michael and Judy Steinhardt
• Samuel D. Turner
• Harry and Gertrude Schwartz Foundation, Jeffery Yablon, trustee