The Tell Balata Archaeological Park Project
In 2009 I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Palestine, Dr. Khulud Daibes. This initiated a cooperation between the Faculty of Archaeology and the Palestinian Department of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage (its director Dr. Hamdan Taha is left on this picture), supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (cultural attaché dr. Harry Putker is right on this picture)
In 2010 this was followed by the start of the Tell Balata Archaeological Park Project, initiated by dr. Monique van den Dries and PhD student Sjoerd van der Linde from my Heritage Management Group at Leiden University, in cooperation with dr. Gerrit van der Kooij of the Near Eastern Archaeology Group.
The project seeks to safeguard and protect the archaeological remains of the site of Tell Balata near Nablus (West Bank) by conservation programs and by developing an archaeological park with a visitor centre. Tell Balata contains the remains of a Middle Bronze Age city with a massive city wall, two impressive gates, a fortress temple and domestic houses. The city dates back to the second millennium BC (c.1700-1200) and is historically known as Shechem (or Sjechem).
It is one of the crown jewels of Palestine, although barely recognizable as such. The archaeological remains have become overgrown, ruined, and the site has become a garbage dump. Nevertheless, it certainly is a potential candidate for nomination as a World Heritage Site. Since such a status can lead to positive socio-economic development for the local community, the project aims to develop and manage the site in cooperation with the local community. It is already listed on the Inventory of Cultural and Natural Sites of Potential Outstanding Universal Value in Palestine.
At the moment the site is being developed by a joined Palestinian-Dutch project, in cooperation with UNESCO, into Tell Balata Archaeological Park. The aim of the project is to provide facilities for visitors, like a visitor centre, and to work on the long term preservation of the site. The site can already be visited all year, every day between 8 am - 3 pm.
For an impression of the work done this year, see the report on the 2011 Campaign and also the Tell Balata website. There is also a downoadable handout
In 2010 this was followed by the start of the Tell Balata Archaeological Park Project, initiated by dr. Monique van den Dries and PhD student Sjoerd van der Linde from my Heritage Management Group at Leiden University, in cooperation with dr. Gerrit van der Kooij of the Near Eastern Archaeology Group.
The project seeks to safeguard and protect the archaeological remains of the site of Tell Balata near Nablus (West Bank) by conservation programs and by developing an archaeological park with a visitor centre. Tell Balata contains the remains of a Middle Bronze Age city with a massive city wall, two impressive gates, a fortress temple and domestic houses. The city dates back to the second millennium BC (c.1700-1200) and is historically known as Shechem (or Sjechem).
It is one of the crown jewels of Palestine, although barely recognizable as such. The archaeological remains have become overgrown, ruined, and the site has become a garbage dump. Nevertheless, it certainly is a potential candidate for nomination as a World Heritage Site. Since such a status can lead to positive socio-economic development for the local community, the project aims to develop and manage the site in cooperation with the local community. It is already listed on the Inventory of Cultural and Natural Sites of Potential Outstanding Universal Value in Palestine.
At the moment the site is being developed by a joined Palestinian-Dutch project, in cooperation with UNESCO, into Tell Balata Archaeological Park. The aim of the project is to provide facilities for visitors, like a visitor centre, and to work on the long term preservation of the site. The site can already be visited all year, every day between 8 am - 3 pm.
For an impression of the work done this year, see the report on the 2011 Campaign and also the Tell Balata website. There is also a downoadable handout
