Palestinian archaeologists race to save Gaza’s heritage

Palestinian archaeologists and volunteers are racing to recover Gaza’s archaeological artefacts and preserve what remains of the territory’s cultural heritage after widespread destruction during the war.

At least 164 cultural sites in Gaza had been damaged since October 2023, according to UNESCO. The affected sites include the Great Omari Mosque, Hamam al-Sammara, Qasr al-Basha in Gaza’s Old City and the al-Qarara Cultural Museum near Khan Younis. 

Among the rubble are ancient pottery, stone fragments, mosaics, manuscripts and other artefacts reflecting Gaza’s history as a crossroads of civilizations for thousands of years.

The Mayasem Association for Culture and Arts’ “Guardians of Heritage” team has been working to recover and document artefacts before they are lost to further damage, theft or deterioration. Volunteers have often worked with limited equipment, using their hands and basic tools to search through debris. 

Gaza’s heritage dates back more than 5,000 years. UNESCO has been monitoring damaged cultural sites through satellite imagery and conducting on-site assessments where security conditions allow. 

Archaeologists say preserving the surviving artefacts is crucial to documenting Gaza’s history and ensuring that its cultural legacy can be passed on to future generations.

- MaT