The Contributing Volunteer Program
Over the course of the excavations, the University of Sydney Archaeological Excavations of the Paphos Theatre Site has conducted a contributing volunteer program. This has enabled interested members of the public who have never been trained in archaeology to participate in the excavations and learn more about ancient history first hand.
Volunteers is perhaps a misleading term as all members of the Paphso Theatre Project from the senior staff to the students, conservators, photographers and drawers volunteer their time and professionalism, but the contributing volunteers are special members of the team. The contributing volunteers are in many ways the lifeblood of the excavations, as they help provide additional funding, on-site support, and a wealth of experience from their own lives to the project. Contributing volunteers have come from all walks of life (some of our past volunteers have been teachers, lawyers, film-makers, executives, office workers, company directors, academics, retirees and students to name a few); and they have all given generously of their time and effort to help with our excavations. In return our contributing volunteers are taught and trained to work as archaeologists by professionals, and get to work as part of a team in trenches and on the sorting mats alongside archaeologists and students. It is also a wonderful opportunity to experience the magic of the island of Aphrodite and to explore the World Heritage listed Paphos Archaeological Park in detail. Over two hundred people of all ages and backgrounds have assisted the excavations through this program, many of them return year after year, and some going on to study archaeology at university because of their passion!
The Contributing Volunteer Program is currently inactive while senior team members concentrate on completion of publication of the excavation report but it will operate again in the future. For any inquiries about becoming a volunteer in future contact Craig Barker on c.barker@usyd.edu.au
What previous contributing volunteers have said about their experience
"The dig was very educational, you can pick up a lot more info 'on site' than you'd get from a book...there is always somebody around to explain the specific features."
"I had an absolute ball and want to say thank you very much...it was such a great experience I want to do it all over again."
"I learnt heaps and would love to be part of the team in the future."
"I had an amazing time!"
"The dig was fantastic - dig all day, drink all night, its a good combination!"
"All in all the program provided an excellent variety of hard work and history, all in a great social atmosphere. Thank you."
"Thanks for the opportunity to be involved."
A large number of our volunteers have enjoyed the experience so much they have returned to join us in a later season, have volunteered to work on another excavation, and some have even caught the bug so badly that they have enrolled to study archaeology at the University of Sydney or some other university!
How do I become a contributing volunteer?
More information will be placed here when the Program is reactivated, but you are welcome to send inquiries to c.barker@usyd.edu.au
What does being a contributing volunteer involve?
There is a financial cost to joining the program, and the work can be hard at times. Living is in a communal dighouse near the site. However, it is a wonderful opportunity to get 'hands-on' with history, learn new skills, meet new people and have a holiday with a complete difference, while helping our project continue its work investigating the history of Cyprus.
