Ancient digs in the Digital Age

Piece together the Dead Sea Scrolls with Dig Quest: Israel.

By JORDYN SCHWERSKY
Dig Quest: Israel app (photo credit: Courtesy)
Dig Quest: Israel app
(photo credit: Courtesy)
If you’ve ever wanted to examine the Dead Sea Scrolls or explore ancient Roman period mosaics but haven’t had the chance to do so, download Dig Quest: Israel, a new English- language app from the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Dig Quest: Israel introduces children age seven to 11 to archeology. It features Genesis 1:1 (the account of creation), the Ten Commandments, Psalms and 11 other 2,000-year-old manuscripts, as well as beautiful artifacts from the National Treasures of the Israel Antiquities Authority. The app turns an iPhone or iPad into an archeological tool where kids can play games to hone their skills, discover secret meanings, solve puzzles and piece the past together like true archeologists.
The inspiration behind this app was not only to educate children but also to get them excited about archeology, to show them some of Israel’s incredible history.
“We wanted to make kids the experts and have them make discoveries as real archeologists,” says Maya Cohan, the app’s producer. “That way, they get to experience the thrill of discovery and puzzle out the stories and meanings of the artifacts they find.
You get to dig up the Lod Mosaic, piece together and scan the Dead Sea Scrolls – these are all things that real Israel Antiquities Authority archeologists do. And most of all, we wanted our games to be engaging and fun – games that you want to play over and over again.”
Not only are the games based on things done by real archeologists, but the Israel Antiquities Authority was also closely involved in the designing of Dig Quest: Israel. The app design team came up with the original concepts for the games, but Israel Antiquities Authority content experts directed the designers so the game activities reflect real processes and methods used, and members of the Israel Antiquities Authority provided the content, photography and elements used in the game.
Although Dig Quest: Israel is aimed at children, even adults are loving the games, which Cohan is pleased to see.
“Our target audience is kids,” she says, “but we always wanted the games to be smart and empowering, making the player the expert and encouraging them to discover more. That attitude appeals to players of all ages. Another factor is the real content at the heart of the games. It makes a big difference to be discovering amazing artifacts and stories that are true!” Dig Quest: Israel features more than 30 levels in two unique games based on two world-famous archeological discoveries; more than 50 images of stunning historical treasures; fascinating historical and archeological facts and artifacts; translated and spoken excerpts from the Dead Sea Scrolls; a collection box where players store artifacts and discoveries; and an archeologist character host, Gabe, inspired by real Israel Antiquities Authority archeologists.
It is now free in the App Store, with an Android release in the works.