From prehistory until modern times the Land of Israel has been a focal point for historic events that have affected all of mankind. Here nations rose and fell and here the monotheistic religions were born. The cultural richness of the land is shared by millions of people throughout the world – Jews, Christians, Muslims alike and all culture loving people – hence it is the responsibility of the Israel Antiquities Authority to safeguard the antiquities, expose them and publish them.

The first archaeological excavations in the Land of Israel were conducted by the French researcher Pierre de Saulcy, in 1851 in the church at Masada (which he accidentially identified as a palace) and in 1863 in the Tombs of the Kings, in Jerusalem. The excavations in the Tombs of the Kings (the Kalba Savua complex) were the first archaeological excavations that were issued an official permit (firman) by the Ottoman authorities.

In the following years the first archaeological institutions that operated in the Land of Israel were founded, among them the Hebrew Society for the Exploration of the Land of Israel and its Antiquities (in 1921). During the British mandate the archaeological establishment of the Land of Israel was secured within the framework of the Department of Antiquities whose seat was established in the Rockefeller Museum.

With the creation of the State of Israel it was decided to establish the Department of Antiquities (in 1948). In April 1990 the Antiquities Authority was founded, operating in accordance with the Antiquities Authority Law and the Law of Antiquities.

We, the workers and administrators of the Antiquities Authority, consider the protection of the country’s antiquities a mission of the highest calling, and act to achieve this aim by properly balancing the country’s development needs with the safeguarding of its antiquities.

As a large organization that aspires to be efficient we have strived to develop computerized information and management systems. At the conclusion of this process the scientific archaeological information or all other relevant information relating to the antiquity sites and their finds will be more easily accessible.

As the leading and largest archaeological organization in the country I consider it paramount to further the ties between the citizens of this land and its antiquities. Therefore, we have increased our educational activities and have re-established the group of antiquities trustees.

The Conservation Department of the Israel Antiquities Authority sets forth the conservation policy in general and conservation in the ancient cities in particular and is working in order to preserve the remains of the built cultural heritage of our country. We are continuing our involvement in the development of the large antiquity sites, among them Jerusalem, Bet Shean and Caesarea. The Israel Antiquities Authority is likewise investing considerable effort in developing and conserving buildings in historic cities such as Safed, Shefar’am, Ramla, Tiberias, Beer Sheva and Jaffa.

The Antiquities Authority has set for itself the goal of increasing the general public awareness about archaeology. It is my hope that the internet site, in which much has been invested in its development, will aid in bringing the public at large closer to the archaeology of the Land of Israel and will provide some insight on the activities of the Antiquities Authority.