The Contributing Volunteer Program

Over the duration of the project we have offered a contributing volunteer program.  This involves 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 Paphos 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 project.  

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 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, bitten by the dig bug, go on to study archaeology at university.

How do I become a contributing volunteer?
Fill in our online application form with all your details and click submit at the bottom of the page. Places are limited each season. 

Applications for the 2019 season are now closed. Shortly afterwards the excavation Director's will be in touch regarding your application. If accepted, further details about travel, accommodation and payment dates will be provided.

Note: We are currently not offering contributing volunteer places for the 2023 field season, only student places, but if this changes we will reopen this application form. A volunteer program will definitely run in 2024.

What does being a contributing volunteer involve?
There is a financial cost to joining the program, and the work can be hard at times.  Volunteers stay in nearby basic accommodation. Volunteers daily experience hands-on with history,  learn new skills, meet new people and have a holiday with a difference, while helping our project continue its work investigating the history of Cyprus.

The Contributing Volunteer fee for 2019 is $4900 AUD payable after the acceptance of your application (The excavation directors will inform all members when this payment will be due).

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."

"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."

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