Archaeology today is an intimate blend of field and laboratory research. The ideal archaeologist thus needs to understand both worlds. Furthermore, both field and lab work involves using the scientific approach - quantitation, controls, hypothesis driven questions, verifiability by others and so on. Even today, however, the overwhelming majority of archaeologists are trained in faculties of humanities and not natural sciences, and the (cultural) gap is large. With this in mind, the Weizmann Institute of Science established a PhD program in 1997 to train archaeologists, at home in both the field and the laboratory. Students with masters degrees in the natural sciences spend the first year of the 5 year program devoted entirely to studying undergraduate courses in archaeology, and at least one summer in the field. Those with degrees in archaeology study pertinent disciplines within the natural sciences, especially chemistry during the first year. These studies continue throughout the PhD, with students taking the required number of graduate level courses, but progressively focusing on their chosen field of research.

Students receive a fellowship from the Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science, made possible by a generous gift to the Weizmann Institute from Helen and Martin Kimmel, New York. This allows them to devote all their time to studies and research. Students usually have two advisors with expertise in archaeology and the scientific discipline most closely related to their research interests. Research is carried out primarily at the Weizmann Institute, although the archaeological sites under investigation can be anywhere in the world. The Kimmel Center also provides students with instrumentation and start-up funds needed for their specific research. Research is generally carried out in the laboratories of one or both advisors, and of course in the field. Wherever possible on-site analyses are carried out in order to exploit the major benefits of working interactively in the field.

The Center is housed in a small building that contains a seminar room, several laboratories with facilities for radiocarbon research, geo-archaeology and archaeobotany. Students also have access to all the Institute's analytical facilities, laboratories, libraries etc.

The Weizmann Institute is a basic research center with faculties of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. It has only graduate (MSc and PhD) students (about 750) and an academic staff of around 250. The official language is English, thus enabling visiting students and scientists to easily integrate into Institute research programs.