BC Archaeology Travel

Name: BC Archaeology Travel
Address: PO Box 1236, Mittagong, NSW, 2575, AU
Telephone: +61405492946

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BC Archaeology Travel

BC Archaeology Travel Guided tours of ancient world sites

20/03/2025

JAISALMER

The great fort city of Jaisalmer, built of yellow sandstone, lies on the edge of the great Thar Desert in western India. The city was founded in the 12th Century by the Rawal Jaisal of the Batti Dynasty which traces its origins to the Hindu god Krishna. In the 13th Century the fortress was taken by the Muslim rulers of Delhi but it was recaptured a few years later. Jaisalmer became an important trading town, attracting a large number of Jain followers who built the temples found in the fortress today.

In the 16th Century the rulers of Jaisalmer acknowledged the overlordship of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. In the 18th Century the city greatly expanded outside the walls where several rich merchants built spectacular havelis, courtyard houses. In the 19th Century the British increasingly took control of the region, and the overland caravan routes into Pakistan were gradually replaced by maritime routes from Bombay (modern Mumbai) and Gujarat seaports. After the partition of India, the overland routes were closed, leaving Jaisalmer as a memory of a distant age.

Hi - this is Michael Birrell. I'm leading a tour of Northern India this coming November which includes a visit to this wonderful place. These are some of the photos I took last January:
NORTHERN INDIA: RAJASTHAN AND THE MUGHALS
A 3-week tour exploring the archaeology and history of Rajput and Mughal India led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Delhi, Agra, Gwalior, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Ranakpur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer
15th November - 5th December 2025 (arrive Delhi 15th Nov - depart Delhi 6th Dec)
$8100.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
Itinerary: www.bcarchaeology.com.au/northern_india.html
Contact me: [email protected] or 0405 492 946

19/03/2025

TERMESSOS

Termesos lies 30 km to the north-west of Antalya, near the south coast of Turkey. It was founded on a natural platform near the top of Gulluk Dag, which rises to a height of 1,665 m. Concealed by a multitude of wild plants and bounded by dense pine forests, the site has a peaceful and untouched appearance.

The city was founded by an Anatolian people rather than Greeks. It first appears in history in connection with the campaigns of Alexander the Great. Arrian, one of the ancient historians who dealt with this event and recorded the strategic importance of Termessos, notes that even a small force could easily defend it due to the insurmountable natural barriers surrounding the city. Probably because he knew he could not capture the city, Alexander did not undertake an assault, but instead marched north and vented his fury on Sagalassos.

I'm leading a tour of western Turkey which explores the route of Alexander the Great. We'll visit the beautiful site of Termessos:
WESTERN TURKEY: FOLLOWING ALEXANDER THE GREAT
A 3-week tour of western Turkey led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Miletus, Bodrum, Fethiye, Phaselis, Antalya, Perge, Termessos, Sagalassos, Cappadocia
1st - 19th October 2025 (arrive Istanbul 1st Oct - depart Istanbul 20th Oct)
$8200.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
Itinerary: www.bcarchaeology.com.au/turkey_alexander.html
Contact me: [email protected] or 0405 492 946

19/03/2025

ZOOM LECTURES
Hi everyone, this is Michael Birrell. I'm giving some zoom lectures coming up over the next two years. I have changed the time of the lectures to be early evening Sydney time:

ZOOM LECTURES FOR 2025

ANCIENT LYCIA
Wed 18th, 25th June, 2nd, 9th July
6 to 8pm $110 for 4 lectures

THE MOGHULS
Wed 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th August
6 to 8pm $110 for 4 lectures

ZOOM LECTURES FOR 2026

TAMERLANE
Wed 11th, 18th, 25th March, 1st April
6 to 8pm $110 for 4 lectures

DEIR EL MEDINA
Wed 10th, 17th , 24th June, 1st July
6 to 8pm $110 for 4 lectures

TROY
Wed 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th August
6 to 8pm $110 for 4 lectures

HADRIAN’S TRAVELS
Wed 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th Sept
6 to 8pm $110 for 4 lectures

BC Archaeology Tours
P.O. Box 1236, Mittagong, NSW, 2575, Australia.
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Mobile. 0405 492946

16/03/2025

DOUGGA - ROMAN CITY IN WESTERN TUNISIA

The spectactular site of Dougga lies 106 km west of Tunis. It was originally a Numidian settlement called Thugga. The site had been occupied from the late Second Millennium BC. The history of Roman construction at Dougga goes back to the time of Tiberius (as indicated by an inscription dated to AD 36) when the site received a pagus, or settlement, of Roman citizens. They supplemented the existing Punic and Numidian population.

Under the Emperor Claudius another inscription from Dougga makes it clear that Punic institutions still survived at the city. It refers to the portae, the Latin name for the local town council, which honours a distinguished native who is married to a Roman lady. Dougga was slowly transformed into a Roman city but because of the uneven rocky topography of the site, Dougga did not receive the usual orthogonal Roman street plan – in many cases the roads follow the contours.

Dougga went through a period of major urban development during the Antonine Period due to the remarkable wealth of its agriculture. The city lies near the rich and well watered Medjerjda River valley. The surrounding fields were particularly famous for their grain.

The remarkably well preserved Capitolium of Dougga, the main temple of the city, was dedicated to the state triad of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva It dates to the reign of Marcus Aurelius (AD 166-9) and was the gift of a wealthy local citizen called Lucius Marcius Simplex Regillianus. It is tetra-style (4 columns) in the Roman form, with Corinthian capitals.

Constructed on a high podium at the top of the city, it dominates the entire landscape and can be seen far away. There are three statue niches at the rear for the Capitoline triad: Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Juno Regina and Minerva Augusta. The tympanum of the temple, the triangular pediment, has a relief showing the apotheosis of the Emperor Antoninus Pius (AD 138-61) – he is shown being carried to heaven on an eagle.

Hi - this is Miichael Birrell. I'm leading a tour of Tunisia in May which visits the site of Dougga. Why not come with me:
ANCIENT TUNISIA: ARCHAEOLOGY & THE DESERT
A 2-week tour exploring the archaeology of Tunisia led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Tunis, Carthage, Dougga, Sufetula, Tozeur, Douz, El Jem, Kairouan, Sousse
8th - 22nd May 2025 (arrive Tunis 8th May - depart Tunis 23rd May)
$5700.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $900 extra
Itinerary: www.bcarchaeology.com.au/ancient_tunisia.html
Contact me: [email protected] or 0405 492 946

15/03/2025

Hi everyone. This is Michael Birrell of BC Archaeology Travel. I'm leading a tour of Northern India this November which explores the stunning monuments of the Rajput and Mughal period. These are some of the photos I took last year:
NORTHERN INDIA: RAJASTHAN AND THE MUGHALS
A 3-week tour exploring the archaeology and history of Rajput and Mughal India led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Delhi, Agra, Gwalior, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Ranakpur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer
15th November - 5th December 2025 (arrive Delhi 15th Nov - depart Delhi 6th Dec)
$8100.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
Itinerary: www.bcarchaeology.com.au/northern_india.html
Contact me: [email protected] or 0405 492 946

12/03/2025

Hi - this is Michael Birrell. Next year, in May 2026, I'm leading a tour of Morocco which explores the country's rich heritage. We visit ancient sites, medieval cities and the desert - these are some of the photos I took last time:
ANCIENT MOROCCO: ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY
A 3-week tour exploring ancient and medieval Morocco led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Volubilis, Fes, Sahara dunes, Ait Benhaddou, Marrakesh
22nd April - 11th May 2026 (arrive Casablanca 22nd Apr - depart Casablanca 12th May)
$7800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
Itinerary: www.bcarchaeology.com.au/ancient_morocco.html
Contact me: [email protected] or 0405 492 946

10/03/2025

Hi everyone - this is Michael Birrell. I'm leading a tour of Egypt next February which explores the reign of Ramesses II. We will take a cruise on the Nile, and another cruise on Lake Nasser to explore the stunning monuments of this fascinating ruler. We will also see the fully open Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo:
ANCIENT EGYPT: RAMESSES THE GREAT
A 3-week tour of Egypt led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: 3 night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan and a 4-night Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel
27th January - 13th February 2026 (arrive Cairo 27th Jan - depart Cairo 14th Feb)
$8300.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1500 extra
Itinerary: www.bcarchaeology.com.au/ramesses.html
Contact me: [email protected] or 0405 492 946

09/03/2025

Hi - this is Michael Birrell. I'm leading a tour of Western Turkey in October this year which explores the history of this fascinating region, following in the path of Alexander the Great:
WESTERN TURKEY: FOLLOWING ALEXANDER THE GREAT
A 3-week tour of western Turkey led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Miletus, Bodrum, Fethiye, Phaselis, Antalya, Perge, Termessos, Sagalassos, Cappadocia
1st - 19th October 2025 (arrive Istanbul 1st Oct - depart Istanbul 20th Oct)
$8200.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
Itinerary: www.bcarchaeology.com.au/turkey_alexander.html
Contact me: [email protected] or 0405 492 946

04/03/2025

Hi - this is Michael Birrell. I'm leading a two week tour of Tunisia in May this year:
ANCIENT TUNISIA: ARCHAEOLOGY & THE DESERT
A 2-week tour exploring the archaeology of Tunisia led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Tunis, Carthage, Dougga, Sufetula, Tozeur, Douz, El Jem, Kairouan, Sousse
8th - 22nd May 2025 (arrive Tunis 8th May - depart Tunis 23rd May)
$5700.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $900 extra
Explore this amazing country with me:
www.bcarchaeology.com.au/ancient_tunisia.html
Contact: [email protected] or 0405 492946

04/03/2025

ZOOM LECTURES

Hi everyone. This is Michael Birrell. I'm giving some Zoom lecture series coming up in the next 2 years. The lectures will be taught in the morning 10 am -12 midday Sydney time. Each subject has 4 sessions and costs $110 for the 4 sessions:

ZOOM LECTURES FOR 2025

THE PTOLEMIES
Wed 12th, 19th, 26th March, 2nd April 2025 10-12am $110 for 4 lectures

ANCIENT LYCIA
Wed 18th, 25th June, 2nd, 9th July 2025 10-12am $110 for 4 lectures

THE MOGHULS
Wed 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th August 2025 10-12am $110 for 4 lectures

ZOOM LECTURES FOR 2026

TAMERLANE
Wed 11th, 18th, 25th March, 1st April 2026 10-12am $110 for 4 lectures

DEIR EL MEDINA
Wed 10th, 17th , 24th June, 1st July 2026 10-12am $110 for 4 lectures

TROY
Wed 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th August 2026 10-12am $110 for 4 lectures

HADRIAN’S TRAVELS
Wed 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th Sept 2026 10-12am $110 for 4 lectures

Let me know if you would like to join some of the lectures
Contact: [email protected] or 0405 492 946

27/02/2025

Wed 26th Feb - our last afternoon on tour in Egypt. We had a nice lunch in the Naguib Mahfouz Cafe in the Khan el Khalili markets. Afterwards there was free time to shop in the suq. I went for a walk in this historic quarter of the city to visit some of the impressive mosques and other structures from the Mamlouk period (13th-16th Century).

27/02/2025

Wed 26th Feb - in the late morning we visited the beautiful Beit Suhaymi, a lovely 17th Century Ottoman house. It has two large courtyards, many reception rooms (salamliks) and extensive quarters for the private use of the family (haramliks). I really like the Ottoman tiles on the walls of the main room.

27/02/2025

Wed 26th Feb - we've reached the last day of the tour of Egypt. In the morning we visited the Citadel of Saladin, the great 12th Century castle which rises up above Cairo. We saw the Mamlouk Mosque of Nasir Mohamed (early 14th Century) and the 19th Century Mosque of Mohamed Ali Pasha. We then went for a walk through the old quarter from the northern gate of Cairo (Bab el Futuh) where we saw the 10th-11th Century Fatimid walls

25/02/2025

Tues 25th Feb - this morning we visited the superb Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria. It had a major renovation over recent years and now looks superb. Excellent labels with plenty to read. In the afternoon we returned to Cairo. Tomorrow is the last day of the tour

24/02/2025

Mon 24th Feb - after a visit to the Library of Alexandria and its museum, we visited the Fort of Sultan Qaytbey which protects the entrance to Alexandria harbour. It was erected in the 1470s from the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria. It has recently undergone a restoration and is looking very smart

24/02/2025

Mon 24th Feb - this morning we visited the large area of excavation known as the Kom ed-Dikka quarter in central Alexandria. We saw a number of Roman period houses including the mosaics in the 'Villa of the Birds'. We walked around the Roman bath complex, and saw the theatres and odeum dating from the 6th Century AD. on display are some of the objects which were excavated from near the lighthouse and along the coast at Aboukir.

24/02/2025

Mon 24th Feb - we are in Alexandria at the moment. This morning we visited the fascinating catacombs of Kom es-Shuqarfa. They were developed in the 1st Century AD and they have an interesting fusion of Egyptian and Roman art. The most iconic scene from the catacombs shows Anubis dressed as a Roman centurion.

23/02/2025

Sun 23rd Feb - this morning we visited the new GEM museum in Cairo. The galleries are well laid out and the information generally good. Despite some groups, the museum doesn't feel crowded. The Tut galleries will open in July and apparently there will be an upsurge in tourism

Address

PO Box 1236
Mittagong, NSW
2575

Telephone

+61405492946

Website

http://bcarchaeology.com.au/

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