Tel Shimron Excavations

Tel Shimron Excavations - 2019 Edition

In select summers, Wheaton students learn alongside professors and other archaeologists as they join the Tel Shimron Excavations program.

Excavations Program Overview

Tel Shimron, an ancient city in Northern Israel with biblical and historical significance, is the location of Wheaton College’s archaeological excavations, sponsored by generous support from the Museum of the Bible. Each summer, Wheaton students have had the opportunity to join a six week dig in Israel, led by Professor of Archaeology, Dr. Daniel Master.

In 2017, an international team of archaeologists, historians, anthropologists, biologists, chemists, and geologists began the work during a full scale excavation from mid-June through July uncovering remains from the Middle Bronze Age (19th-16th century BC) through the Mamluk sultanate of the 15th century AD. This major research project is a demonstration of the way in which interdisciplinary thinking can help us to answer questions about the ancient world, including the world of the Bible. 

At Tel Shimron, undergraduate Wheaton students take classes which emphasize Global Perspectives, History, Social Inquiry, and the practice of Science that meet requirements in the thematic core of Wheaton’s general education curriculum. 

Course Offerings for the Excavations

Students register for 8 credit hours from the following:

ARCH 325: Archaeological Field Work (4 hrs.)
Instructor: Dr. Daniel Master, Professor of Archaeology
Archaeology has traditionally been one of the core methods of social inquiry; this field experience involves excavation, interpretation, and studies in related regional archaeology. This course, part of the Wheaton excavation in Israel summer experience, asks students to frame their experience within the rubric of archaeological method.
Fulfills Social Inquiry (SI) thematic core.

ARCH 326: Archaeological Field Work: Tel Shimron, Israel (4 hrs.)
Instructor: Dr. Jordan Ryan, Assistant Professor of New Testament
This course is designed to teach students methods of investigating history (critical analysis of primary and secondary historical sources to interpret the past) and to expose them to the diverse people who live(d) in the Jezreel Valley and its environs. 
Fulfills Global Perspectives (GP) and Historical Perspectives (HP) thematic core.

ARCH 495: Independent Study (4 hrs.)
Independent study of selected topics/problems for the advanced student.

Learn More

If you have specific questions or would like to know more about the Tel Shimron Excavations program, contact Dr. Daniel Master, Professor of Archaeology, for further information.

For Program Year Specific Information and Instructions on How to Apply

To apply to the Wheaton College Tel Shimron Excavations program, visit GoGlobal, Wheaton College's registration system for off-campus study and international travel, research, and internships.