Organization Name: Emek Shaveh
(an israeli NGO)

Main Office Location: No physical office

Mission & Context:

We believe that archaeological findings should not function as a means to prove ownership by one people or one religion over a given tract of land. The archaeological finding is an integral part of local culture. Archaeology teaches us about the cultures of the past and belongs to all peoples and faiths. The development of an archaeological site located within a built-up area cannot be justified if it ignores the local community. On the contrary, because they represent the most recent layer in a long history of cultures and societies, the current residents are a crucial part of the place, its story and its archaeology.

Our goal is to undermine the perspective which sees the past as a possession of a particular religion or nation and a justification for hostile and immoral actions aimed against minorities.  On the contrary, we see archeological activity as a means to initiating positive processes.  Archeology within a community, working together with the residents in a variety of ways – joint excavation, preservation and development of the site, tours which include visiting the community as well as the site – can enlarge the environmental vision of the residents, increase social commitment and a initiate a local process of social change.

Neighborhoods working in: East Jerusalem, especially City of David/Silwan

Founder and Executive Director: Yonathan Mizrachi

Contact (email): eshaveh@gmail.com

website: www.alt-arch.org

Projects already up-and-running:
-Alternative Archeological Tour in City of David/Silwan

(Planned) Future Projects:
-Publishing a booklet about archaeology, community and politics:
Ancient Jerusalem (City of David) as a case study.

Wishlist:

To increase (local and international) public awareness concerning the role of archaeology in the Israeli-Palestinan conflict.

Workshops and lectures:

In order to increase the understanding of the shared past of two peoples in this land we aim to establish a comprehensive workshop which will include a film about the situation in the “City of David” site, a lecture and a following discussion led by Emek Shaveh and Madaa activists in different locations in Israel. This way we aim to reach out to a large number of different groups in Israeli-Palestinian society, who otherwise might not be able or unwilling to take part in the tours in Silwan. The workshop can also be held as a complement to the tours for groups who are interested in deepening their knowledge and understanding.