Nabi Samwil – A Village Trapped in a National Park
Introduction The Nabi Samuel National Park is one of the largest national parks in the West Bank. The antiquities site and religious center located on the grounds have become a...
Cultural heritage protection in international conventions
Introduction Currently, there are five international conventions which regulate the protection of cultural heritage 1, the main issues being intended and unintended destruction during armed conflict, plunder and illicit trafficking of cultural...
Underground Jerusalem: The excavation of tunnels, channels, and underground spaces in the Historic Basin
Introduction The tunnels being dug in the Old City and in the adjacent Palestinian village of Silwan have reached the headlines once again. In the four years since 2007, the...
Frequent Questions about Jerusalem’s Old City
How old is the Old City? The walled city as we know it was established by the Romans as ‘Aelia Capitolina’ in the second century CE, after they had destroyed...
From Shiloah to Silwan – A Visitor’s Guide
What is the guide? This guide is based on Emek Shaveh’s alternative archeological tour in the village of Silwan and at the City of David national park. The tour, initiated...
The Jewish Yemenite Settlement in Silwan
In the late 19th century, Jewish Yemenites moved to live in the Arab village of Silwan. Nowadays, among many parties, specifically right-wingers and settlers, the old Yemenite settlement is considered...
Archaeology in the shadow of the conflict: The Mound of Ancient Jerusalem (City of David) in Silwan
Archaeology in the shadow of the conflict: The Mound of Ancient Jerusalem (City of David) in Silwan Introduction The subject of this brochure is archaeology in the heart of...
Community excavations
Community excavation: Mamilla A community excavation is an excavation in which professional archaeologists excavate an ancient site together with local residents. Its goal is to empower the community through the experience of researching...
Silwan/City of David map
Terms Salvage excavations Prior to any construction, laying of infrastructure or development in an area designated as an antiquities site, the developer must underwrite a “salvage excavation”. The purpose...