An archaeological park in Beit Shemesh

COMMUNITY-FRIENDLY ARCHAEOLOGY: Beit Shemesh Tel Yarmuth urban archaeology park test case for new cooperation. Archaeologists have been working for a decade to integrate a park located in the middle of a new religious neighborhood into the community (JUDITH SUDILOVSKY, Jerusalem Post). This article rambles, but some key points are here:

BECAUSE OF previous excavations at Tel Yarmuth almost 20 years ago by Pierre de Miroschedji, archaeologists already knew there were ancient ruins at the site, said [IAA Judea region archaeologist Anna] Eirikh-Rose. And they also knew that in order for the community to embrace the planned archaeological park as its own, they would need to reach out to the residents to become a part of the project of restoration and preservation.

It is a project that has occupied them for nearly 10 years, hosting holiday events and workshops, educational programs for schools, and opportunities for families to take part in the excavations, getting a largely religious population involved in something very new for them. Since the area is to be an unstaffed park, it was important to get the population involved already at the ground level so they can see importance in preserving it and taking care of it, noted Wolicki.

For many posts on Beth Shemesh (Beit Shemesh) and its archaeology, see here and here and links.

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