The Noah Complex and Archaeology in the Holy Land : The case of the Mamilla Cemetery and the Museum of Tolerance and Human Dignity

• The partial development of the Old Muslim Mamilla cemetery in Jerusalem for the planned construction of a Museum of Tolerance and Human Dignity has spurred protests from the Muslim descending communities and from around the world. Archaeology played a central role in the process since the development only could go ahead after a large number of burials had been removed from the site by excavation. In the process the place transitioned from having been a neglected marginalized space in the urban landscape to become a contested place filled with new significance and symbolism. This process of transformation is accompanied by a shift in cultural heritage production. Through this case, this article critically explores the role and responsibility of archaeology drawing on debates that view cultural heritage production as both problematic and essential. Rather than taking sides, the piece aims at highlighting the complexities of the debates and the challenged facing archaeology.

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi -- Arkeologi (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology -- Archaeology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Archaeology

Arkeologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)