Open Access Journal: From Shiloah to Silwan Newsletter

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Jerusalem began as a small village in a place known as the City of David where the Palestinian village of Silwan sits today. Buried under the village lands, 5000 years of history bind the stories of ancient nations and rulers with the present life of the local residents. Dozens of excavated archaeological strata tell the complex multi-cultural saga of Jerusalem.


We, a group of archaeologists and residents of Silwan, invite you to hear the story of ancient Jerusalem and of life in the village today. Our tour sheds light on the role of archaeology in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and in the discourse of the future of Jerusalem. We will offer a different perspective: archaeology without an ownership, one that bridges between periods, cultures and nations; archaeology which involves the local residents and examines the past as a shared asset regardless of religion or nationality.


We believe that archaeology in Silwan/"City of David" has the power to change the dynamics of the conflict and promote tolerance and respect for other cultures, past and present, for a better future for both the local residents and the whole region.

* Herod’s exhibition, New report –Archaeology around the Temple Mount, Mount of Scopes Slopes planned national park (March 2013)

* Tel Aviv University in Silwan, Leading scholars’ petition, Special tour, Emek Shaveh in Twitter (January 2013)

* Tel Aviv University in Silwan, New Publication, and a Political Trial (November 2012)

* Archeological projects underway around the Temple Mount/al-Haram al-Sharif, and an investigation into the importance of “The Temple Mount Sifting project” (September 2012)

* West Bank Ancient Sites, New tourist center in Silwan, Community Archaeological Excavation, Upcoming tours (June 2012)

* Old City Q & A, Givati Parking lot, Zedekiah’s Cave, Demolition in Silwan, Friends of Emek Shaveh, Coming tours (April 2012)

* Mount of Scopus National Park, Givati Parking Lot, Sambuski Graveyard, and Friend of Emek Shaveh (February 2012)

* New publication: Between Holiness and Propaganda, Hinnom Valley/Wadi Rababa, Eviction of Families in Silwan, and Community Excavation (January 2012)

* New Reports – Graveyards, Cemeteries, Tombs, and the Visitor’s Guide (November 2011)

* The National Sites Law, a New Report, and a New Surprising Article (September 2011)

* New guidebook for Silwan/city of David, Antiquities Authority law, West Bank Museums Law, The law of privatization national sites (August 2011)

* Western Wall Tunnels, King David as a new political declaration (June 2011)

* Underground excavations in Jerusalem Old City and its surrounding (May 2011)

* International conventions and archaeology in Jerusalem; new bill allowing ELAD to run national parks (March 2011)

* What was Jawad Siyam Arrested For? (February 2011)

* Western Wall plaza, New Tunnel, Al-Wallaja and Battir- Archaeological view (February 2011)

* New Appointments to the Israel Archaeological Council: Cause for Concern, and “Archaeological Theft” (December 2010)

* A Tour in Al-Walajeh, a Palestinian village south of Jerusalem (November 2010)

* Interactive archaeological map of the Old City and other updates (October 2010)

* Soldiers Tours and a Report from an Official City of David Tour (September 2010)