The Ayalon Institute and Archeological Dig

Today we went to an archeological dig as a part of the program Dig for a Day. We went down into one of 5,000 man made caves to dig up pottery from over 2,000 years ago. We were all given chisels and troweos and buckets. We loosened the dirt and sifted through it to find some awesome pottery. Leanne found the best stuff, including a "plate thingy." We found bits and pieces of bowls, plates, vases, and other stuff from the times of Judah Maccabi. 

After our dig and some sifting, we went into a cave. Everybody went, Miriami didn't cry once, but Grandma almost did. But with all kidding aside everybody was impressed with Grandma and Poppy's flawless sperlunking skills. We scrunched and crawled and got dirty and it was great. Highlights were lowering boojis into the "toilet bowl" a hole that led through a dome shaped opening onto the floor below and just getting dirty in general, enjoying our cave time.     

 

After getting dirty we headed to the Ayalon Institute. Ayalon was an underground bullet factory both figuratively and literally. During the time between World War II and the creation of Eretz Israel the British were occupying Israel. A youth Zionist movement arose to liberate Israel and as a part of this movement, one Kibbutz chose to make munitions. Munitions were in high demand during the movement and the Kibbutz chose to smuggle materials underground to run their own factory. The best part was our guide, who as part of a Kibbutz with the mission to educate about Ayalon, gave a unique perspective at how amazing it was that these people worked underground for 8 hours a day every day for 3 years. These people choose this lifestyle...