Although Community (or Public) Archaeology originated in western countries, it has now spread all over the world. It integrates the archaeological past with living peoples in new and unique ways. It is however, a rather loosely-defined field. To some it means an attitude and a theoretical concept, which is, or should be, valid for archaeology as a whole and for every archaeologist. For others it is a practice or sub-field of archaeology, which by now has its own experts - that is, community archaeologists.
It is not surprising that in Israel/Palestine Community Archaeology touches heavily upon the present, perhaps more than upon the past. No archaeology in this region is 'neutral' and living communities are part of the heated, on-going political, social and religious conflicts that have shaped the past, and are shaping this land, for more than a hundred years. Should archaeology, including Community Archaeology, strive to neutrality? Can Community Archaeology free us from the hegemonic position of the archaeologies of nations and states?
This is the first volume dedicated to Community Archaeology in Israel/Palestine. Chapters challenge the traditional 'Biblical Archaeology' approach to the archaeology of Israel/Palestine. They present individual concepts and ideas about Community Archaeology in Israel/Palestine, bringing questions and treating case studies, and reaching different though not unrelated conclusions. The volume gives a first, refreshing look of a new archaeology in an old land.
