The Israel Exploration Society (lES)

Ronny Reich

University of Haifa

The Israel Exploration Society was established twice; the first time was on April 16, 1913. Dr. A. B. Rosenstein, in an article in the Hebrew newspaper "ha-Poel ha-za’ir” ("The Young Worker”) dated the 11th of the Hebrew month of Nissan) writes the following:

A Jewish Society for the exploration of Eretz-Israel.

It happened at last. In the national library in Jerusalem the foundation was set for this society, whose name at the head of this article clearly testifies to its nature, its aspirations and its aims. . . .

This land is for us a terra incognita, and we intend to acquire it, neither with troops nor with force but with the spirit. And where is that spirit which brings us to life? There is no people nowadays which will conquer a land with his force alone. Any land that any cultural people thinks to settle in it (and only such a people can nowadays conquer lands), is first and foremost studied from all its aspects.

D. Yellin was elected as chairperson; A. Brawer as secretary. Additional members were A. Mazie, A. M. Lifschitz, A. B. Rosenstein, and a Mr. Waldmann. Soon after, a manifest was published in the local Hebrew-language newspaper, Haheruth, dated the 13th of the Hebrew month of Iyyar 1913, whose aim was to publicize the society's role and to formulate its statutes. The manifest, written in a somewhat archaic Hebrew, expressed the feelings that were current at the time among Jewish intellectuals in Palestine.

Our brothers who dwell in our country! Beloved and holy is our ancestor's country to us, and beloved and holy are all its memories which remind us of our glorious past. This country of ours is a country of marvels, each footstep of which is soaked with ancient memories, and each stone is witness to the valuable events in the history of mankind in general, and those of our people in particular. Apart of the general memorial to our past, this country included, there are more particular remains in the entire country around, which pass before our eyes special periods and particular events which are very dear to us, remains of holiness, which every Jew who respects his past aspires and yearns to please and beautify them, and secular remains that each one of them is like a building-stone in the edifice of our past history, and all join together and present to our eyes the gigantic and beautiful palace, the palace of our history, when we still were a people residing on its land. All these remains, whether coins or pottery vessels, intact or broken glass vessels, fragments of iron or rusty copper tools—anything which bears a mark of antiquity is a segment in the chain which encompasses ancient generations. According to the custom in the world, that in each civilized country these dear relics are assembled to a single place, and there are arranged to various departments, and the more examples will enrich the museum, so will the visitor obtain a reliable and live notion on the various habits, on the development in craftsmanship and on periods which fell to oblivion, and which are resurrected. . . .

Fig. 1. Hamath-Tiberias excavations. Nahum Slouschz and his workers with the stone menorah.

It seems that they wished, among other aims, to fill a gap and to serve as a substitute for some sort of antiquities service and especially to establish a museum, which did not exist under the Ottoman authorities.

Like many beginnings, this too was extremely difficult. We know of no activity that was carried out, certainly not any real investigations or studies of the land. These were difficult days, with the Ottoman regime hostile and means limited. One should remember that only two years earlier, in 1911, M. Parker, the British adventurer, had attempted to excavate within the Temple Mount compound. The Jewish initiative consisted of the excavations carried out in 1913-14 by R. Weill in the City of David, both initiated and sponsored by the Baron de Rothschild. One can assume that the establishment of the lES was a local reaction to Parker's activity.

Unfortunately, no archival material survives from the beginning of the lES. A letter was kept at the Deutsche Palastina Verein in which Yellin and Brawer introduce their newly founded society to their German colleagues who at that time were considered veterans (the German society was founded in 1877). This letter most likely constitutes the oldest extant document of the IES. 93 Invaluable information can be found in A. Brawer's articles on the society's history, one written on its 30th anniversary (Brawer 1943) and one on its 50th (Brawer 1963).

Sometime later, the society ceased to exist. Drawer attributed this to the “War of Languages” of major concern to Jewish society at this time and also to the outbreak of World War I.

In 1917, Palestine was taken over by Britain. With the establishment of the civil administration of the British Mandate in Palestine in 1920, the heyday of archaeological research began. The British government established a Department of Antiquities, headed by Prof. John Garstang. The foundations for an Ordinance of Antiquities were formulated and an Archaeological Advisory Board was established, convening regularly to advise the director of antiquities on professional matters. The basis for an intensive and scientific investigation of the land was initiated and with it the protection and conservation of its antiquities and ancient sites.

The new regime in Palestine provided a fertile and favorable background to the renewed idea of establishing an institution, an initiative taken by the same group of people. In the winter of 1920 (the 8th of the Hebrew month of Kislev) the society was once again founded, this time as “The Hebrew [instead of Jewish] Society for the Exploration of Eretz-Israel and its Antiquities” (Press 1921).94 This change, according to Brawer, was probably due to the influence of the noted Hebrew lexicographer, E. Ben-Yehuda, who became deputy chairman. The English version remained as before: “Jewish Palestine Exploration Society.” The name was subsequently changed again. After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, under the influence of Israel's first prime minister, D. Ben-Gurion, the term “Hebrew” was dropped and the official name became the Israel Exploration Society, which it has retained ever since.

A board of ten gentlemen was elected and objectives were formulated:

A.  To publish a scientific journal on occasional times, and publish the inscriptions from Palestine in special volumes;

B.  To establish a Hebrew Institution for the study of the Land of Israel;

C.  To make the nature of the land known by giving public lectures;

D.  To carry out excavations in the depth of our land's ground for the discovery of antiquities.

The first issue of a scientific journal appeared as early as in 1921, publishing, among other items, the results of the first excavation at Hammath-Tiberias (see below). Paragraph b stated as follows:

Establishing a Hebrew institution is a desired thing not only from a cultural-Hebrew point of view, but also for national-political reasons. When we are set to build our national home and make it a center for the culture of Israel, we cannot stand aside facing the industrious and useful competition of the world's nations and their scholars over the study of our forefathers' land. It is our holy duty to establish in our holy city of Jerusalem, next to the British, American, Dominican [i. e., the French] and German institutions, a Hebrew institution, in which Hebrew scholars and their disciples will concentrate on the study of our land, in the spirit of Israel, that is according to our knowledge in our literature, and our emotions in the history of our people, special to

Us. We have to hurry, to double and triple our forces, to achieve in the future what we have neglected in the past (Press 1921: 91-2).

Written documents pertaining to the second beginning of the IES are still missing from the IES archives. However, certain documents kept in the archives of the Department of Antiquities compensate for this lack: the ATQ series of files, stored at the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem.95 The first meeting of the Advisory Board took place on September 20, 1920, conducted in the presence of High Commissioner Sir Herbert Samuel.96 The board members were supposed to represent the different scholarly institutions in Palestine. The first meeting included J. Garstang as chair, W. Pithian-Adams (British School), A. Berlozzi, Father M.-J. Lagrange (Ecole biblique), Archimandrite Kleopas, W. F. Albright (American School of Oriental Research), and finally A. Ruppin, representing the Jewish interests. The latter's nomination should be perceived as a misunderstanding by the authorities, who were probably not aware of the reestablishment of the IES. 97 After bringing this fact to the board's attention, N. Slouschz, a scholar representing the IES, was included. During the following years, the lexicographer E. Ben-Yehuda and, later, the historian J. Klausner represented the IES on the board.

The First Excavations

The first application requesting an excavation permit was submitted to the board on behalf of the IES at the third meeting of the board, on November 11, 1920. Their intent was to excavate the ancient synagogue discovered by chance when the road south of Tiberias was built. Permit No. 1 authorizing several soundings was granted to Slouschz on behalf of the Jewish Archaeological Society on November 2, 1920, initially for two months, a time-limit that was later extended. Noteworthy is that the IES also applied for a permit to excavate the remains of a synagogue at 'Ein Dok (Na'aran), another chance discovery north of Jericho during the war. Father Lagrange, who made the same request on behalf of the Ecole biblique, obtained the permit.

On May 16, 1921, Slouschz reported the discovery of a stone menorah. The fact that the first excavation carried out by the earliest learned Jewish society or institution established in the country (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem was established about five years later) was perceived as symbolic. The stone menorah, the most important find uncovered in the ancient synagogue, remains to this day a unique item. Much later, it was adopted as the logo appearing on all IES publications. The artifacts revealed at the Hamath-Tiberias excavation also constitute the beginning of a collection of antiquities, which later became part of the collection of the Bezalel College of Art and Design and ultimately the core of Jerusalem's Israel Museum collection.

During the period of the British Mandate in Palestine, the lES was responsible for the very first archaeological excavations conducted by a Jewish organization in Palestine. In addition to the excavation of Hammath-Tiberias (N. Slouschz 1920-21), excavations were carried out at Absalom's Tomb (N. Slouschz 1924)98 and the Third Wall in Jerusalem (E. L. Sukenik and L. A. Mayer 1925-27, 1940), Ramat Rahel (B. Mazar and M. Stekelis 1931), Beth She'arim (B. Mazar 1936-40), and Beth Yerah (B. Mazar, M. Stekelis, I. Dunayewski, and M. Avi-Yonah 1944-45).

The Unsuccessful Ophel Operation 99

Shortly after the establishment of the Department of Antiquities, J. Garstang, director of antiquities, realized the importance of Jerusalem in general and that of the City of David in particular. His strong sense of scientific responsibility, and perhaps also his religious convictions, led him to realize that the city and this particular site were part of the heritage of the entire public. He initiated an international project dedicated to excavating the hill, under the direction of a multinational consortium.

The Archaeological Advisory Board approved the statutes of this operation. Surprisingly, very few institutions responded positively to his call. One condition was that each partner would contribute the sum of 5,000 Egyptian pounds. The Palestine Exploration Fund faced the problem of raising the money and recruiting a scholar for this task. Finally R. A. S. Macalister reluctantly agreed to participate.

Rothschild had no problems raising the funds but had to persuade, once again, the Egyptologist Weill (who had excavated on that hill in 1913-14) to return to the site for a second time.

It seems that the only institution eager to be involved was the IES. They, too, were approached by Garstang to take part in this international project (the Hebrew University had not yet been established). Press and Ben-Yehuda informed the director of the Department of Antiquities that they would also take part (letter dated Sept. 26, 1922) in this collaboration. A permit was issued (No. 16) to excavate lots No. 15 and 17 and possibly Nos. 13 and 19.

We have no information as to why only the IES was unable to obtain the necessary permits and as a result did not participate in the excavation. It may have been a result of their failure to raise the necessary 5,000 Egyptian pounds.

Public lectures were organized from the beginning in 1920. In 1943, when the society celebrated its 30th anniversary, the first Hebrew Archaeological Conference convened in Jerusalem.100 The 250 people in the audience were a significant number, given the country's small Jewish community. Lines of communication during this period were very primitive. It was thus astounding that people arrived from places as remote as 'En Gev and Sha'ar Hagolan in the north, from the Dead Sea region in the south, and many additional places. Tours were organized, to, among other places, the City of David, the Kidron Valley monuments, and the Rockefeller Museum.101

This was the start of a long tradition of annual conferences, which gained great popularity over the next 40 years. More than 60 annual conventions and three international conferences constituted one of the main outreach activities bringing together scholars and the lay public. The annual conferences are still being held.

After the Establishment of the State of Israel

After Israel's War of Independence in 1948, the IES received the first excavation permit issued by the Israeli government, enabling B. Mazar from the Hebrew University to excavate at Tell Qasile on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

The IES is not an academic institution like the departments of archaeology in Israeli universities or like some of the foreign schools and institutions active in Israel. Apart from an office in Jerusalem, the IES possesses no laboratories, library, storerooms, or lecture halls. It is a public organization that sponsors, supports, and organizes archaeological excavations, surveys, and various studies. In most cases, these activities are carried out in collaboration with other institutions, in particular with the Hebrew University and with the Israel Antiquities Authority (until 1991 the Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums).

Since then, the IES has organized and sponsored some of the most important archaeological projects carried out in the country, including Hazor, Masada, the excavations near the Temple Mount, the Jewish Quarter, the City of David in Jerusalem, the Judean Desert Expeditions, En-Gedi, Arad, Lachish, Aphek, Herodian Jericho, Jokneam, Dor, and Megiddo, to name only the most prominent ones.

The IES plays a key role in archaeological research spanning all periods, from prehistoric times to the Ottoman period. It coordinates many of the multi-institutional archaeological research projects carried out by both Israeli and foreign archaeological expeditions in Israel.

A major activity of the IES consists of the publication of all archaeological activities in Israel. This final product constitutes the fruit of all who are involved in the labor. The IES has become the most important publisher of archaeological reports of the excavations it has sponsored. The list is far too long and cannot be reproduced in this context. The publication process began with a scientific journal called Qobez (in Hebrew). The first of four volumes appeared already in 1921. Later followed Yediot, or the Bulletin of the Jewish Palestine Exploration Society, of which 31 volumes were published, in Hebrew, between 1933 and 1967. This journal was replaced by Qadmoniot, which, given its style and color plates, was intended as a more popular publication. Qadmoniot started in 1968 and has appeared ever since. The more scientific journals are the Israel Exploration Journal (since 1950) and the Eretz-Israel Festschrift series published in Hebrew and English in honor of leading international scholars in these fields. Volume 30, in honor of Amnon Ben-Tor, is about to appear.

Major activities undertaken by the IES include coordinating excavations, overseeing and channeling budgets of archaeological projects, publishing excavation reports, and serving as liaison for collaborations between Israeli and foreign institutions with regard to the publication process and, finally, more generally promoting the cause of archaeology.

Another facet of IES activity is the dissemination of knowledge gained from the exploration of Israel to the general public in Israel and abroad. Since 1943, more than 60 archaeological conferences have been held for members of the IES. These annual gatherings include lectures by archaeologists and guided tours of recently discovered sites. Hebrew-speaking members receive the bi-annual Qadmoniot, while the bi-annual Israel Exploration Journal caters to the English reader.

The IES, in cooperation with other institutions, has held more than 35 annual meetings for the professional archaeological community in Israel. Two international congresses on Biblical Archaeology were held, in 1984 and 1990, attracting hundreds of participants from around the world. The proceedings of both have been published in two volumes entitled Biblical Archaeology Today. In 1997, an international congress was held in Jerusalem, marking 50 years since the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The proceedings have appeared in the volume The Dead Sea Scrolls Fifty Years after Their Discovery.

The IES is a nonprofit organization governed by an executive committee and a council comprising representatives from all the Israeli institutes of archaeology and several major archaeological museums.

Present and Future

The Israel Exploration Society continues to play an active role in both the scientific and public spheres. During the coming years, the IES will edit and publish the results of some of the most important archaeological excavations being carried out throughout Israel: Hazor, Masada, En-Gedi, Sepphoris, Megiddo, Jokneam, Arad, Tiberias, and the Jewish Quarter and City of David in Jerusalem.

Another highlight of the IES's extensive publications program will be The Ancient Pottery of Israel and Its Neighbors from the Neolithic through the Hellenistic Period, which will appear as a three-volume set and is being prepared in collaboration with the Israel Antiquities Authority and the W. F. Albright Institute. The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land appeared in four volumes, both in Hebrew and in English in 1993. A fifth updated volume has appeared recently (2008), making it an invaluable source for the study of the archaeology of the Land of Israel. The IES has had several presidents, and many archaeologists have excavated with its support, but only one person should be mentioned, because his name is inseparable from the activity of IES over the last 60 years (out of its 94 years of existence), namely, J. Aviram, the society's secretary and its living spirit. 102

In 1989, the Israel Exploration Society was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize for its unique contribution to society and to the State of Israel. In the words of the committee of judges: “It has been the principal and most effective institution for furthering knowledge of the archaeology and history of the country both at home and abroad since it was founded seventy-five years ago.” The committee emphasized “the contribution of Mr. Joseph Aviram, who for many years has been the initiator, planner and organizer of all the society's activities and has done much to disseminate them among the public at large.”11 103

The Establishing of the Jewish Palestine Exploration Society. Yediot (=BuUetin of the Jewish Palestine Exploration Society) 10/2-3: 125-28. [Hebrew]

From the Early Days of the Israel Exploration Society. Pp. 228-36 in Western Galilee and the Coast of Galilee. Proceedings of the Nineteenth Archaeological Convention, October 1963, Jerusalem, 1965. [Hebrew]

Compte-Rendu du Secretaire, Recueil Public par la Societe Hebraique d'Exploration et d'Arceologie Palestinienne, 1/1: 91-94. [Hebrew]