Palestinian archaeologists race against time to save Gaza’s heritage
Summary
Palestinian archaeologists in Gaza are working quickly to save thousands of historical items and cultural sites damaged during Israeli military operations since 2023. They face many challenges, such as ongoing conflict, lack of equipment, and dangerous areas controlled by Israel, but have rescued over 1,700 artefacts so far.Key Facts
- At least 164 cultural sites in Gaza have been damaged since October 2023 due to Israeli military actions.
- Important landmarks like the Great Omari Mosque and al-Qarara Cultural Museum have been hit by bombings.
- Gaza’s history spans over 5,000 years and includes artefacts from many different empires and peoples.
- The Mayasem Association’s “Guardians of Heritage” team has saved more than 1,700 historical objects from four museums.
- The team faces difficulties, including unsafe areas near the Israeli-controlled “Yellow Line” and lack of specialised restoration tools.
- Since October 2025, 196 Palestinians have died near the “Yellow Line,” making rescue work very risky.
- About 84% of buildings in Gaza are damaged or destroyed, forcing the team to work from a temporary tent in Khan Younis.
- The team carefully documents, cleans, archives, and photographs rescued items to preserve their history.
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