As part of an agreement with the French Agency for the Development of Al-'Ula (Afalula), UMR 8167 of the CNRS (Orient & Méditerranée) was entrusted with the excavation of the Dadan site, in the al-Ula oasis (Dadan project).
4 excavation campaigns are planned, from 2020 to 2023, followed by a study campaign in 2024. In order to carry out this program, the UMR 8167 wishes to entrust one or more archaeological organization (s) with the management some search tasks.
The purpose of the alloti framework agreement concerns archaeological services relating to excavation, prospection, study and training operations in the context of the Dadan site search (8 lots).
The first campaign is planned between 15 February and 28.3.2020.
During the excavation season, archaeologists Area Managers (RS) will be responsible for a search area, under the supervision of a deputy operations manager, and will supervise a team of 3 to 9 workers, in English or French. in Arabic. They will conduct the excavation, the photographic documentation, the stratigraphic recording and the recording of the material according to the protocol of the Dadan project. Registration will be in English.
At the end of the field campaign, the archaeologists responsible for the area should have completed the complete recording of their excavation (photographs, stratigraphic units, non-ceramic material, sectional records, plans) on the basis of computer data from the Dadan project ( in Filemaker Pro format). They will provide the project director with the originals of their surveys and all of their field photographs, recorded, renamed and captioned according to the Dadan project standards.
After the excavation, archaeologists will write a report containing:
- the cleaning of the field surveys (cuts, stone to stone plans) in Adobe Illustrator format, in compliance with the graphic charter of the Dadan project,
- the stratigraphic diagram of the sector under their responsibility,
- an account of the results of their excavation (stratigraphic and architectural phasing, description of the building) illustrated by plans, sections and photographs.
The documents will be written and captioned in English, in compliance with an editorial charter but without layout (text and separate images). The provider organization will ensure the intelligibility of the language and the correction of the technical vocabulary.
2 weeks of work will be devoted to the preparation of the report. It must be submitted no later than 1 month after the end of the search.
Required Skills:
- 5 years of professional experience in the field of preventive or programmed archeology, in an urban environment,
- experience of coaching technicians (in France) or workers (abroad),
- good CAD skills (Adobe Illustrator),
- excellent writing skills,
- good command of oral and written English (B2 level minimum),
- knowledge of Arabic appreciated.
Estimated needs:
2 archaeologists responsible for the sector by campaign over 5 campaigns (2020-2024).
During the excavation season, the archaeo- anthropologist will be responsible for a funeral sector and will have to supervise a team of 3 to 6 workers, in English or Arabic. He may be assisted by a technician and / or a student. He will be responsible for all the excavation and analysis of the graves in the field (excavation, architectural and taphonomic study, survey, dismantling, bone registration) as well as the laboratory study of human remains (biological and palaeological studies). demographics). Registration will be in English. The 6 weeks of work will be divided between excavation and laboratory work.
At the end of the field campaign, the anthropologist must have completed the complete recording of his excavation (photographs, stratigraphic units, anthropological material, objects, surveys, plans) on the basis of computer data from the Dadan project. He will provide the project director with the originals of his surveys and all of his field photographs, recorded, renamed and captioned according to the Dadan project standards.
After the search, the anthropologist will write a summary report containing:
- the layout of the field surveys (sections, plans, burial records) in Adobe Illustrator format, in compliance with the graphic charter of the Dadan project,
- the results of the excavation, illustrated by plans, sections, photographs and stratigraphic diagrams,
- the results of the biological and palaeo-demographic study (sex, age, stature, pathologies, anatomical variations, recruitment).
The documents will be written and captioned in English, in compliance with an editorial charter but without layout (text and separate images). The provider organization will ensure the intelligibility of the language and the correction of the technical vocabulary.
3 weeks of work will be devoted to the preparation of the report. It must be submitted no later than 1 month after the end of the search.
Required Skills:
- master in biological anthropology or funerary archeology (with complementary training in anthropology),
- 5 years of professional experience in the field of preventive or programmed archeology,
- skills in anthropological and sedimentary excavation,
- experience of coaching technicians (in France) or workers (abroad),
- good CAD skills (Adobe Illustrator),
- excellent writing skills,
- good command of oral and written English (B2 level minimum),
- knowledge of Arabic appreciated.
Estimated needs:
1 archeo-anthropologist in charge of sector by campaign, over 5 campaigns (2020-2024).
During the excavation season, the archaeologist-topographer will carry out the topographic survey of the different sectors using a differential GPS (which will be made available by the service provider). It will integrate the topographic data into the geographic information system (GIS) of the DADAN project. He will carry out the building surveys, in pencil or by photogrammetry, and will ensure their setting in net (DAO) in the respect of the graphic charter of the Dadan project. In the absence of topographical work to be carried out the archaeologist-topographer may work as a search technician in one of the areas of the site.
At the end of the field campaign, the topographer archaeologist will hand over to the project director:
- all the topographic surveys carried out (points, vectors, polygons) in shp and csv formats,
- all photogrammetric surveys carried out, georeferenced, in psx and geotiff formats.
After the excavation, the archaeologist-topographer may be called upon to carry out work on the layout (CAD) or management / supply of the geographic information system (GIS) of the project, at the request of the project director (approximately 1 week).
Required Skills:
- at least 2 years of professional experience as a topographer or draftsman in the field of preventive or programmed archeology,
- excellent control of the differential GPS,
- excellent skills in GIS (QGis, ArcGis) and CAD (Adobe Illustrator),
- excellent photogrammetry skills (Agisoft Photoscan / Metashape),
- skills in field survey appreciated,
- experience as a valued excavation technician,
- basic command of English (level A2 / B1).
Estimated needs:
1 archaeologist-topographer per campaign, over 5 campaigns (2020-2024).
During the search season, the area manager will be responsible for the search of the Islamic sector at the Dadan site (Islamic fortress and village north of the site). He will conduct the excavation, the photographic documentation, the stratigraphic recording and the recording of the material according to the protocol of the Dadan project. Registration will be in English. In addition, he will supervise in Arabic 5 to 10 Saudi students, and train them in field archeology methods (excavation, photography, survey, recording).
At the end of the field campaign, the area manager must have completed the complete recording of his excavation (photographs, stratigraphic units, objects, sectional records, plans) on the computer database of the Dadan project. He will provide the project director with the originals of his surveys and all of his field photographs, recorded, renamed and captioned according to the Dadan project standards.
After the search, the Deputy Operations Manager will write:
1) A report containing:
- the cleaning of the field surveys (cuts, stone to stone plans) in Adobe Illustrator format, in compliance with the graphic charter of the Dadan project,
- the stratigraphic diagram of the sector under its responsibility,
- an account of the results of his excavation (stratigraphic and architectural phasing, description of the building) illustrated by plans, sections and photographs,
- a reminder in historical context (dating, function of the building, parallels ...).
2) A summary of the achievements of the season in 1,500 to 5,000 words, likely to be integrated into a scientific article. The format and content of this summary will be defined with the project director.
The documents will be written and captioned in English, in compliance with an editorial charter but without layout (text and separate images). The provider organization will ensure the intelligibility of the language and the correction of the technical vocabulary.
4 weeks of work will be devoted to the preparation of the report and its synthesis. It must be submitted no later than 45 days after the end of the search.
Required Skills:
- 5 years of professional experience in the field of preventive or programmed archeology, in an urban environment,
- master or doctorate in archeology of Islamic periods,
- writing of scientific publications in peer-reviewed international journals,
- fluent command of Middle Eastern Arabic and good knowledge of standard Arabic,
- experience of coaching technicians (in France) or workers (abroad),
- good CAD skills (Adobe Illustrator),
- excellent writing skills,
- very good command of oral and written English (C1 level minimum).
Estimated needs:
1 assistant operations manager per campaign, over 5 campaigns (2020-2024).
During the excavation season, area archaeologists will be responsible for a search area, under the supervision of a deputy operations manager. They will conduct the excavation, the photographic documentation, the stratigraphic recording and the recording of the material according to the protocol of the Dadan project. Registration will be in English. In addition, they will supervise three to five Saudi students in Arabic and train them in field archeology methods (excavation, photography, survey, recording).
At the end of the field campaign, archaeologists must have completed the complete recording of their excavation (photographs, stratigraphic units, objects, sectional records, plans) on the computer database of the Dadan project. They will provide the project director with the originals of their surveys and all of their field photographs, recorded, renamed and captioned according to the Dadan project standards.
After the excavation, archaeologists will write a report containing:
- the cleaning of the field surveys (cuts, stone to stone plans) in Adobe Illustrator format, in compliance with the graphic charter of the Dadan project,
- the stratigraphic diagram of the subsector under their responsibility,
- an account of the results of their excavation (stratigraphic and architectural phasing, description of the building) illustrated by plans, sections and photographs.
The documents will be written and captioned in English, in compliance with an editorial charter but without layout (text and separate images). The provider organization will ensure the intelligibility of the language and the correction of the technical vocabulary.
2 weeks of work will be devoted to the preparation of the report. It must be submitted no later than 1 month after the end of the search.
Required Skills:
- 5 years of professional experience in the field of preventive or programmed archeology, in an urban environment,
- master's degree or doctorate in history or archeology,
- fluent command of Middle Eastern Arabic and good knowledge of standard Arabic,
- experience of coaching technicians (in France) or workers (abroad),
- good CAD skills (Adobe Illustrator),
- excellent writing skills,
- good command of oral and written English (B2 level minimum).
Estimated needs:
2 archaeologists responsible for the sector by campaign over 5 campaigns (2020-2024).
During the excavation season, the ceramologist will ensure the registration and study of ceramic material from pre-Islamic areas of the site. It will develop a typo-chronology of pulps and shapes represented in excavation equipment, identify imports, and sort, determine and count ceramic material per stratigraphic unit. He will also supervise the drawing of the material (verification of the drawings) and the restoration of the vases. He may have to train students.
After the search, the ceramologist will write:
1) a report containing:
- the typo-chronology of pasta and identified forms (first season), or an update (following seasons), illustrated by typological plots,
- a summary of the composition and dating of the contexts studied, sector by sector,
- a general summary of the results of the season, with a historical context;
2) a synthesis of the achievements of the season in 1,500 to 5,000 words, likely to be integrated into a scientific article. The format and content of this summary will be defined with the project director.
The documents will be written and captioned in English, in compliance with an editorial charter but without layout (text and separate images). The provider organization will ensure the intelligibility of the language and the correction of the technical vocabulary used.
Six weeks of work will be devoted to the preparation of the report and the synthesis. These must be submitted no later than 2 months after the end of the search.
Required Skills:
- master or doctorate in archeology, on a subject concerning ceramics,
- 5 years of professional experience in the field of preventive or programmed archeology,
- writing of scientific publications in peer-reviewed international journals,
- excellent writing skills,
- very good command of oral and written English (C1 level minimum).
Estimated needs:
1 ceramologist per campaign over 5 campaigns (2020-2024).
During the excavation season, the ceramologist will ensure the registration and study of ceramic material from the Islamic sector of the site. It will develop a typo-chronology of pulps and shapes represented in excavation equipment, identify imports, and sort, determine and count ceramic material per stratigraphic unit. He will also supervise the drawing of the material (verification of the drawings) and the restoration of the vases.
After the search, the ceramologist will write:
1) a report containing:
- the typo-chronology of pasta and identified forms (first season), or an update (following seasons), illustrated by typological plots,
- a summary of the composition and dating of the contexts studied, sector by sector,
- a general summary of the results of the season, with a historical context;
2) a synthesis of the achievements of the season in 1,500 to 5,000 words, likely to be integrated into a scientific article. The format and content of this summary will be defined with the project director.
The documents will be written and captioned in English, in compliance with an editorial charter but without layout (text and separate images). The provider organization will ensure the intelligibility of the language and the correction of the technical vocabulary used.
4 weeks of work will be devoted to the preparation of the report and the synthesis. These must be submitted no later than 2 months after the end of the search.
Required Skills:
- master or doctorate in archeology, on a subject concerning ceramics,
- 5 years of professional experience in the field of preventive or programmed archeology,
- writing of scientific publications in peer-reviewed international journals,
- excellent writing skills,
- very good command of oral and written English (C1 level minimum).
Estimated needs:
1 ceramologist per campaign over 5 campaigns (2020-2024).
During the field campaign, the prospecting archaeologists will carry out an intensive and systematic prospection of 2 zones:
- the mountainous hinterland of the site, to the east (2.5 km
- the necropolis, located at the foot of the cliff overlooking the site to the east, and which has several dozens of rock tombs and inscriptions.
They will ensure the identification, description, documentation of all archaeological facts and sites, including inscriptions and rock engravings. They will ensure their registration in accordance with the recommendations issued by the Saudi authorities as part of the regional archaeological map (Idiha project, free three-day training to be provided). They will integrate the results into the Geographical Information System (GIS) of the Dadan project. Registration will be in English.
At the end of each excavation campaign, the prospecting archaeologists must complete the complete recording, on the database and the GIS of the project, of the facts and archaeological sites prospected. They will hand over to the project director all of their field photographs, recorded, renamed and captioned according to the standards of the Dadan project.
3 field campaigns of 6 weeks each are planned to carry out the exploration of the 2 zones.
After the field, prospecting archaeologists will write a report containing:
- a map of facts and archaeological sites prospected,
- retail maps of areas of particular interest,
- the inventory and description of the facts and archaeological sites prospected, illustrated by photographs and plans,
- a summary of the results of the survey.
They will also manage the archaeological map of the Dadan project, on SIG, and its interoperability with the Idiha database.
The documents will be written and captioned in English, in compliance with an editorial charter but without layout (text and separate images). The provider organization will ensure the intelligibility of the language and the correction of the technical vocabulary used.
2 weeks of post-field work are planned for the preparation of the report and / or the management of the archaeological map (duration to be adapted). The report must be submitted no later than 1 month after the end of the search.
Required Skills:
- master or doctorate in archeology,
- experience in the field of archaeological prospecting,
- archaeological experience in the Middle East,
- very good knowledge of geographical information systems (Qgis, Arcgis),
- excellent writing skills,
- good command of oral and written English (B2 level minimum),
- knowledge of Arabic appreciated,
- climbing experience appreciated.
Estimated needs;
2 prospecting archaeologists per campaign over 3 campaigns (2020-2022).