Jewish Quarter 1998 Overview

PUBLICATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS
DIRECTED BY THE LATE PROFESSOR NAHMAN AVIGAD
IN THE JEWISH QUARTER OF THE OLD CITY, JERUSALEM
Hillel Geva

The archaeological expedition directed by the late Prof. Nahman Avigad conducted excavations in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem during the years 1969-1982. Excavations in this part of Jerusalem became possible with the reunification of the city in 1967, following the Six-Day War and as a result of increased development and construction during the 1970s. At the start of excavation, the results were uncertain and there were few expectations of any major finds being made. It was felt that but little could have survived the thousands of years of intensive construction in this area of ancient Jerusalem. Despite these doubts, considerable effort was invested in the intensive archaeological excavations in the Jewish Quarter. Excavation seasons took place for six to eight months each year in a race against modern construction already underway which threatened to cover the excavation areas.

The wealth of finds that emerged from the excavations was quite surprising and exceeded all expectations. Excellently preserved remains from the ancient past of Jerusalem which lay buried deep in the earth for thousands of years were uncovered. Many of these were restored and are now on public display.

The importance of the results of Avigad's excavations in the Jewish Quarter may only be measured after becoming acquainted with the great variety of finds uncovered throughout ancient Jerusalem in excavations conducted over the course of the previous 100 or more years. Our excavations in the Jewish Quarter and their results are a direct continuation of and compliment to a lengthy list of excavations and studies of the city's antiquities.

The excavations in the Jewish Quarter are a part of the general archaeological research effort carried out in Jerusalem since 1967. The results of excavations conducted during the past 30 years now make it possible to more accurately reconstruct, on the basis of archaeological data, the topography of ancient Jerusalem through the ages. The results of the excavations in the Jewish Quarter are of particular importance in understanding the settlement history of the Southwestern Hill of Jerusalem, as represented by its fortifications and the buildings and other remains and finds of each of its occupational strata.

Scientific archaeological activity in Jerusalem has always been linked to the deep feelings evoked by the traditions sanctifying the city, and its historical importance to the three monotheistic faiths which determined the course of its past history.