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Archaeology in the Shadow of the Conflict
The Mound of Ancient Jerusalem (City of David) in Silwan
The subject of this booklet is archaeology in the heart of Jerusalem, one of the most complex cities in the world. We will focus primarily on the mound of ancient Jerusalem, also known as the City of David, located on a ridge south of the Temple Mount, presently part of Palestinian Silwan, and will examine the relationship between archaeological research and the various interest groups active in the village and the site.
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Ancient Jerusalem is a unique archaeological site of global importance for three main reasons: It is identified with the beginning of habitation in Jerusalem and was the capital of ancient Israelite kingdoms; it is located in a Palestinian village; and it is close to the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif - one of the most politically and religiously sensitive places in the Middle East. All of these characteristics present great challenges to any research undertaken in the area, both from an archaeological perspective and in terms of the social and political implications of the work. In recent years, archaeology has been playing an increasingly crucial role in the political struggle in East Jerusalem in general and the site of ancient Jerusalem/the village of Silwan in particular.
In our work we have identified a number of important areas of concern arising from the relationship between archaeological research and the various groups active in and around site:
- The role of archeology in the creation of historical narratives as they are told to the public and their impact on public opinion.
- The impact of archaeology on the community which lives in and around the archaeological-tourist sites.
- The way archaeology is being used to justify Jewish settlement and strengthen settlement activity in a highly disputed and sensitive area.
In the following pages we will propose an alternative role for archaeology in ancient Jerusalem. This alternative vision will address the official Israeli version of the past that is offered to the public together with the political and social problems that have arisen due to the fact that the site is being managed by a settler group with a political agenda. We will also address the methods and approaches used by the various state authorities responsible for the archaeological activity at the site. (less...)
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From Shiloah to Silwan Visitor's Guide
Ancient Jerusalem (City of David) and the village of Silwan
The visitor's guide is based on Emek Shaveh’s archeological tour in the village of Silwan
and at the City of David national park. The tour, initiated in 2007, is led by Israeli
archeologists in cooperation with Palestinian residents of Silwan.
The guide focuses on the remains of past cultures found in the archeological site
of ancient Jerusalem (City of David), while acknowledging the Palestinian village of
Silwan in which the site is situated. It gives the visitor the tools for an independent
appreciation of the variety of cultures and eras represented at the site, with an
emphasis on everyday life.
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The village of Silwan is adjacent to the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif, at the heart
of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Any action taken in an area of conflict affects and is
affected by that conflict. Therefore, no archeological excavation, tourist trail, or even
tour guide can be free of politics. This guide does not presume to ignore the political
situation, nor does it claim to be objective. On the contrary, the goal of the guide is to
arouse awareness of the reality in Silwan today, and of the role that archeology plays,
both in the conflict and in the understanding of the past of the city.
The guide offers several stories and hypotheses about the history of the city and
about the interpretation of its remains. We do not pretend to be exhaustive.
Archaeological research is dynamic; new theories and hypotheses shed light on
our understanding of the archeological remains. Even a casual visit to the site can
inspire new interpretations of the past, sometimes of no less value than those
offered by scholars.
The guide proposes a number of routes through the archeological site and the
village of Silwan: for example, you may choose to focus either on the village or
on the archeological park, or take a combined route that includes both the village
and the park. Whatever your choice may be, the visit to the site and to the village
is a personal one, and the guide is a tool that will help you create this personal
experience. It is our hope that you will share the personal experience and what is
written in this guide with those around you.
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Between Holiness and Propaganda
Archaeology and political claims over the Old City of Jerusalem
Archaeological excavations are tied to the political conflict in Jerusalem from two distinct aspects: one is the appropriation of land to be excavated, which can be interpreted as a means of control over a certain place or area. The second is the focus on the past, which can be seen as an instrument for appropriating the past to one particular group and its narrative. For these reasons, all archaeological activity in the Old City of Jerusalem is perceived as threatening and political. Nonetheless, the excavations do not all impact on the political situation to the same degree. Some are conducted in light of residents or merchants’ needs, are limited in their range and do not turn into national projects.
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While reviews of specific archaeological excavations and their implications abound, the chapters in this booklet offer a broad picture of the local archaeological projects. As we understand it, focusing on one event or archaeological dig does not permit an inclusive view of the full complexity of the situation, which must be comprehended in the context of socio-economic conditions in the Old City, its density, and the political battle for sovereignty.
As far as archaeology in the Old City of Jerusalem goes, it appears there is no end to research options. In this publication we concentrate on the effect of central digs in the Old City, digs whose placement and size exacerbate the surrounding divisions. The information is offered in three parts. The first chapter deals with the main recent excavations in the Old City; the second focuses on archaeology in the holy sites; the third describes the digging of tunnels and caverns underground beneath the busy streets of the Old City and Silwan village.
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Frequent Questions about Jerusalem's Old City
How old is the Old City?
Where is the original Jerusalem?
Are there rules in archaeology?
Is there an archaeogical truth?
Why not have each religion – Jewish, Christian, and
Muslim – care for its own heritage?
Read the answers to these questions and more in our FAQ about Jerusalem's Old City.
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In the Shadow of King David
A film by Natasha Dudinski (24 min)
Living with King David is no fun. Just ask the people of Silwan, a Palestinian village outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.
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Since the first excavations began in the mid 19th century, archaeologists have come to this picturesque village hunting for the legendary biblical city of King David. But in the last ten years, this obsession with antiquities risks ruining the lives of the people who live here as a constant threat of demolition hovers over their homes. Is the past more important than the present? Or is there another agenda - something more sinister than an innocent love of history - hidden amongst the stones? (less...)
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Israeli Archaeological Activity in the West Bank 1967-2007: A Sourcebook
by Dr. Raphael Greenberg and Adi Keinan
This collection includes lists of archaeological sites that were excavated or surveyed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 1967 (when the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria was tasked with oversight of this region). These data are presented through the USC Digital Library through two Google map interfaces.
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Since 1967, there have been two antiquities authorities active in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The Israel Antiquities Authority, which is responsible for East Jerusalem, is a civil branch of government and its records are open for inspection. Some of the records of the Staff Officer for Archaeology of the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria are being accessed in full for the first time.
The Sourcebook provides the first unified source of information on surveys and excavations conducted under Israeli license in from 1967 to 2007. It encompasses nearly 6000 archaeological features, 1600 excavations, and 1000 referenced publications. Prepared under the auspices of the Israeli-Palestinian Archaeology Working Group, it is an important source of information on the cultural inventory of ancient Israel/Palestine and a contribution to the ongoing project of recording and mapping the deep history of the Near East.
One of the main aims of the database is to offer a summary of archaeological activity for negotiators, planners and decision makers on all sides who are in a position to influence the fate of archaeological resources in a final status agreement. In the event of implementation of such an agreement, the database can be of use in planning for the preservation and protection of sites, as well as for research and development in the future Palestinian state.
Raphael Greenberg, Ph.D. (Hebrew University), is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures at Tel Aviv University.
Adi Keinan, M.A. (Tel Aviv University), is a Ph.D. candidate in Cultural Heritage studies at the Institute of Archaeology, University College, London.
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