Mit Bibel und Spaten? - Theologisches Studienjahr Jerusalem

private foundation with a political
ideology. Most of the national parks
across the country, are managed by
the Israel Nature and Parks Authority
or the local authority which has
jurisdiction over the area in which
the park is located.
In my work in Silwan, I have identified
a number of important areas
of concern arising from the difficult
relationship between archaeological
research and the various groups, like
Elad, active in and around sites:
• 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.
Understanding the past
The archaeologist excavating is
the one responsible for interpreting
the find, thereby turning the inanimate
object into a meaningful story
and relating it to the scientific community
and the wider public.
The story told by the archaeologist
is often different than the one
known by the wider public and often
complements it in some way.
The archaeologist achieves an understanding
of past cultures primarily
through studying the find. The
public, on the other hand, derives its
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understanding of the past from raditional
narratives: biblical narratives,
myths, historical narratives, religious
affiliation and more.
In a site like Ancient Jerusalem,
which appeals to visitors because of
its portrayal in the bible, this practice
is particularly important. In this case,
it is eminently necessary to tell the
story through an analysis of the finds
themselves, so that the visitor may
discover a story which is either somewhat
different than the traditional,
familiar story, or one which complements
it in some way; instead of joining
a tour which sets out to confirm
Biblical stories, such as the conquest
of the city by King David, Hezekiah’s
rebellion against the Assyrians or
the actions of the prophet Jeremiah
in Jerusalem before its destruction.
The ideal archeological tour would
deal with daily life in the Kingdom
of Judea. The visitor would hear a
story which is not included in the Bible
– one which tells where and how
the city dwellers lived, where the ruling
elite resided and which were the
areas for the poor. They would learn
what the archaeological finds can tell
us about people’s way of life, their
customs, their religious beliefs and
more.
The archaeological site and
the local residents
Archaeological excavations involve
working in the field. Sometimes
the land excavated is empty, or
isolated and unclaimed and the archaeological
activity leaves no traces.