The day starts very early on a dig with alarms set for a little after 4:00am so that you can be on the bus by 4:40.

You definitely want to be at the dig site early so you can work during the cooler morning hours.

In the picture above you can see the dig participants waiting for the bus.

The bus finally arrives and it is time to get loaded and head toward the tel.

The first few mornings there was a lot of talk on the bus, but as the week has progressed it has become quieter and quieter.

Once we get to the tel, we unload close to the ramp up to the main gate of Lachish. However, we head up around the side of the tel toward our dig site which is on the opposite corner of the tel.

It is a very long uphill walk in the morning.

However, we are usually rewarded with a beautiful sunrise as we get near the top of the tel.

Once we get to the top it is then a short downhill walk toward our dig site. In this picture you can see an overview of the area and people starting to line up at the equipment shed.

We then fill up our wheelbarrow with the tools that we will need for the day and take them to our squares. Then the work really begins.

Keep tuned for more about what goes on during the day at a dig.

Unfortunately the wifi is still not available in our rooms, so I still have to sit outside and fight the mosquitoes. I will try and post tomorrow, but it will be another very long day so may not be able to get one done.

Steven