The Riddle of the Sands? Incentives and Labour Contracts on Archaeological digs in Northern Syria in the 1930s

Tim Barmby, Peter Dolton

Research output: Working paperDiscussion paper

Abstract

This paper analyses data on the daily work decisions of archaeological workers on a Syrian archaeological dig in 1938. The remuneration contract that these workers faced involved a fixed component and a stochastic component termed “bakshish” which were daily payments for small finds that the worker made on the dig. The value of these finds we argue represent transitory movements in the worker’s wage which can be used to examine intertemporal labour supply behaviour.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherUniversity of Aberdeen: Business School
Number of pages27
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2006

Publication series

NameUniversity of Aberdeen Business School Working Paper Series
No.01
Volume2006
ISSN (Print)0143-4543

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