Reclaiming Palestine’s Archaeology: Exposing & Resisting Israel’s Theft, Erasure & Appropriation of Palestine’s Archaeology

We'll be taking a closer look at the challenges of protecting Palestinian heritage sites and antiquities under Israel’s occupation and will be illuminating Israel's attempts to appropriate the past, often in violation of international law according to archaeologists and UN officials, in order to deepen its control over the land.

We're live with two very special guests: Dr Hamdan Taha reestablished the Palestinian Department of Antiquities in 1994, serving as its Director General (1995 – 2004). He was a professor in the Department of Archaeology at Birzeit University and also served as the Palestinian Deputy Minister of Tourism (2014) and as National Director of the World Heritage Program in Palestine (2002 – 2014).

Dr Iman Saca is a Professor of anthropology specializing in community archeology, Chair of the Department of Sociology Anthropology and Criminal Justice at St. Xavier University - Chicago. As part of her research, Iman also worked on listing two important sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List; one in Palestine (Battir Land of Olives and Vines) the other in Qatar (al Zubarah Archaeological site).