September 10, 2004 -- When people think of visiting archaeological sites, places like Italy, Greece and Egypt immediately spring to mind. But beyond these biggies, vast numbers of other ruins lie dotted throughout the world. Whether you're traveling independently as a tourist or wish to get involved through volunteering, an archaeological adventure can be a fulfilling, and unique, travel experience.
Mohenjo Daro, Pakistan
Mohenjo Daro was a major city of the Harappan civilization dating back to the 3rd century BC. The ruins of this ancient city are in the southern province of Sind, south of Sukkur in modern Pakistan. Current excavations date back to 2500 BC. A sophisticated city with over 35,000 residents during its peak, Mohenjo Daro had more than 5000 buildings, fortifications, a full sewerage system, heated bathing and flushing toilets, all in the 3rd century BC. The entire city became a time capsule of sorts, perfectly intact, when it was destroyed some 3700 years ago by a natural disaster, thought to be a massive flood by the Indus River.
Getting there is can be a little bit tricky; however, there are daily flights from Karachi to Mohenjo Daro on Pakistan International Airlines (www.piac.com.pk). Return airfares in economy class are $42; in business class $70 (based on an exchange rate of $US1 = $58.8 Pakistan Rupees). There are two basic but comfortable hotels in the town of Lakarna, which is about an hour's drive from Mohenjo Daro. For more information visit www.hotelsinpakistan.com. If trying to do this on your own sounds too daunting, there are local tour companies that can arrange day trips or longer stays, including Travel & Culture Services Pakistan
Lepcis Magna, Libya
Although Libya might not be a country that you've ever considered visiting, it can be a refreshing departure from a traditional Mediterranean or North African vacation. With pristine Mediterranean beaches and a welcoming local population, Libya is also the home of some of the most outstanding ancient Roman architecture in the world. Lepcis Magna, located about 150 miles from Tripoli, is near the modern-day city of Al Khums right on the seashore in the Tripolitania region. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Lepcis was originally founded by the Phoenicians in the 10th Century BC. Later it was home to Spartan colonists, became a Punic city (the Carthaginian Empire) and eventually the showpiece of the new Roman province of Africa around 23 BC. It features impressive and monumental Roman ruins that include the Hadrianic baths and a well-preserved Roman Theatre.
Getting to Libya is quite simple, especially from European cities like London, but obtaining a visa can be more complicated unless you are traveling with an organized tour. Local Libyan travel companies such as Azar Tours (https://www.angelfire.com/az/azartours/) and ArknoTours (www.arkno.8m.com/) can arrange visas, archaeological site tours and accommodation as required. There is even an online booking service for hotels: www.hotels-libya.com.
Hagar Qim, Malta
A tiny country with a history that dates back for thousands of years, Malta is one of the Mediterranean's best-kept secrets. It is also the home to one of the largest concentrations of Neolithic temples and ancient structures that predate the civilizations of Greece or Ancient Rome. Situated 50 miles south of Sicily and 220 miles east of the Tunisian coast, the island of Malta appears to have been first settled during the early Neolithic period (4000 BC) by a wave of immigrants from the island of Sicily. On the island and on nearby Gozo (a 20-minute ferry ride away), the remains of 50 temples have been found. Perhaps the most impressive of these is the massive megalith Hagar Qim. Built in approximately 3500 BC, it stands on a rocky plateau on the southwest coast of Malta, overlooking the sea. Hagar Qim and nearby Mnajdra are famous for their gigantic stonework, huge statues, intricate architectural decoration, and the celestial alignment that becomes visible during solstices and equinoxes.
Academic Tours (800/875-9171; www.academictours.com) has an all-inclusive Malta and Gozo Archaeology Tour including roundtrip airfare, for 11 days and nine nights touring the highlights of the Neolithic island. Costs in November 2004, departing from New York's JFK, Newark or Boston are $2,199 plus taxes of $125. Other departure cities are available for an additional fee.
Volunteer Programs
If you are after an intense archaeological experience and have the time and passion to commit to a volunteer placement, then a number of organizations offer hands-on archaeological opportunities. In general, volunteers should be over 18, healthy, and able to fund their portion of the volunteer placement. It is important to remember that many sites only accept volunteers during summer seasons, although you may be able to find individual digs that welcome volunteers throughout the year, depending on climatic conditions. As many of these digs will be in remote locations and third world countries, choose your field of interest and destination wisely, keeping in mind the site's living conditions, ease of access, security risks and costs involved.
The Archaeological Institute of America publishes the annual Archaeological Fieldwork Opportunities Bulletin. To order a copy ($19.95 cost) call 617/353-9361 or visit www.archaeological.org.
Earthwatch (800/776-0188; www.earthwatch.org) has expeditions to all continents including archaeological digs that range from Kentucky's Mammoth Cave to Easter Island. Part of the cost is a tax-deductible donation to Earthwatch (check with your accountant or tax preparer) and some travel and food expenses might also qualify as charitable deductions for income-tax purposes.
How does two weeks in Romania sound? Nestled on the beautiful Danube River is the town of Halmyris, in the province of Tulcea. A Roman fort was uncovered here in 2001 and the expedition is seeking volunteers for continuing rounds of excavations of the military barracks, an early Christian basilica, and associated burials. Using magnetometry and gradiometry, volunteers will assist in locating early Christian saints' secret burials outside the fort, and research the harbor area. You'll come away with a new appreciation for the extent of the Roman Empire and the evolution of early Christianity. Costs for this two-week expedition including all meals, motel accommodation and excursions to other nearby Greek and Roman sites is $1,995. For further information or to apply for a volunteer position, visit www.earthwatch.org/expeditions/zahariade.html
Alternatively, a two-week stint in the Catamarca Province of Argentina will give you the opportunity to uncover Incan burial rituals. You can help provide this valuable context to Andean prehistory at Nevado de Incahuasi, a stunning mountain in the Atacama Desert with the 13th highest summit in the Western Hemisphere. There are known ruins on Incahuasi, including several on an apparent "ceremonial route" to the peak, but none has yet been investigated by archeologists. Accommodation for this expedition is camping at 4500 feet. Costs for this high altitude adventure are $2,595 with teams in the field every two weeks from January to March 2005. For further information or to apply for a volunteer position, visit: www.earthwatch.org/expeditions/hershey.html
If Biblical or Roman archaeology is your thing, the State of Israel is always on the lookout for volunteers in assist in a multitude of archaeological digs throughout the country. For listings of current and future opportunities click on "State of Israel" above