past horizons40 What was your first archaeological experience? Back in high school. I spent a summer excavating at the Tel of Yavne- Yam. All it took was one summer, excavating by the beach with students from all over the world and I was hooked! What period of history interests you most? My main focus is actually in Pre- history: Early Neolithic: the beginning of agriculture, the onset of villages, of gods and religion. What country do you enjoy visiting and why? Anywhere new and interesting. I especially enjoy trekking and the outdoors, so any country that supplies beautiful sceneries will do. Top three essential items for travelling? Music, a warm fleece jacket and a good camera. What book are you reading right now? To be honest, I've just finished my MA thesis, so all I've been reading of late are articles… But I have a long list of ' must read'! What new skill would you like to learn? One of my dreams is to learn how to fix my own car! I want to buy an old army 4X4 and fix it up like new all by myself. Do you prefer survey or excavation? Surveys are always fun: seeing new areas and discovering new sites or spots no- one knew of. However, excavation is, in my opinion, much more fulfilling, especially when you get to see how much progress you've had at the end of a long season. What do you like most about the country you live in? I love the weather, almost always sunny and pleasant. I also love the fact that it is so small. You can drive across the whole country in about seven hours, but the scenery changes constantly from green mountains, to the sea- side, to the deserts of the Negev. What are the most important skills a good archaeologist should possess? A good eye and a lot of patience are the basic skills any good archaeologist needs, I think. Of course, luck never hurts. What is your current obsession? As I said before, I just finished my MA. I need a new obsession! What is the worst job you've done? Telemarketing. Horrible job! Do you think archaeology should be taught in schools? Of course. I think every child should be given the opportunity to study past cultures, as it will give them a new perspective on present- day life. I also think it's important to be familiar with one's cultural heritage. Knowing the past will get you a long way in the future! If you weren't an archaeologist, what would you do instead? Probably a veterinarian, or maybe a canyoneering and repelling instructor. But to be honest I can't see myself doing anything else. Being an archaeologist has been my dream since I was a kid. I love every minute of it. Michal Birkenfeld is a 28- year- old archaeologist from Jerusalem, Israel. She currently works and studies at the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She has recently finished her MA, focusing on GIS applications and the site of Kfar HaHoresh, where she has been excavating since 2002. She intends her PhD research to focus on Southern Levantine Early Neolithic.

past horizons 41 You can follow a direct link to a website where you see this symbol: ? exhibitions From the Land of the Golden Fleece: Tomb Treasures of Ancient Georgia Spectacular treasures from ancient Georgia, the land to which the Greek hero Jason led the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece. This exhibition offers a unique insight into a fascinating ancient culture on the eastern shores of the Black Sea. Web: http:// www. fitzmuseum. cam. ac. uk/ whatson/ exhibitions/ article. html? 1414 ? Catastrophe! The Looting and Destruction of Iraq's Past The goal of the exhibition is to encourage people to think about the importance of archaeology and cultural heritage throughout the world. Web: http:// oi. uchicago. edu/ museum/ special/ catastrophe ? Byzantium 330 - 1453 Highlighting the splendours of the Byzantine Empire, the exhibition will comprise around 300 objects including icons, detached wall paintings, micro- mosaics, ivories, enamels plus gold and silver metalwork. Some of the works have never been displayed in public before. Web: http:// www. royalacademy. org. uk/ exhibitions/ byzantium/ about ?