Taglyot

Taglyot (Hebrew: תגליות, 'Discoveries') is an Israeli archaeology outreach and education brand operated by the Israeli Institute of Archaeology association. Founded in 2004, it positions itself as the leading body in Israel dedicated to disseminating archaeology to the general public, serving as a reliable and up-to-date communication channel for the field. Its stated mission is to bring archaeology closer to the wider public and to restore archaeology to the center of Israeli public discourse, as it was in the early 20th century and the first decades of the state. Taglyot organizes and initiates tours, lectures, conferences, and study seminars. Its activities are led by senior researchers from academia and the Israel Antiquities Authority, presented in an accessible, 'eye-level' manner. The brand operates a range of programs: guided tours to archaeological sites led by the archaeologists who excavated them; a weekly lecture series; an annual 'Taglyot Conference' held each January, described as the largest and most popular archaeology conference in Israel with over 400 participants; continuing-education courses for tour guides recognized by the Ministry of Tourism; study seminars abroad in destinations such as Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Italy, and Greece; and volunteer opportunities in excavations managed by the Israeli Institute of Archaeology. It also maintains an online repository of accessible articles written by experts. Over the years, leading Israeli archaeologists from across the academic schools have lectured and guided within Taglyot's framework, including figures such as Prof. Aharon Meir, Prof. Assaf Yasur-Landau, Prof. Arthur Segal, Prof. Boaz Zissu, Prof. Yuval Gadot, Prof. Yosef Garfinkel, Prof. Israel Finkelstein, Prof. Moshe Fischer, Prof. Oded Lipschits, Prof. Ami Mazar, Prof. Nili Wazana, Prof. Ayelet Gilboa, Prof. Yana Tchekhanovets, and Prof. Rina Talgam. The brand's vision is to return the archaeology of the Land of Israel to the center of Israeli public discourse and to encourage the public and decision-makers to preserve antiquities and allocate budgets for that purpose.

Taglyot was established in 2004 by the Israeli Institute of Archaeology association, with the aim of serving as a bridge between the academic world and the general public and of placing archaeology at the center of public interest and discourse in Israel. The brand specializes in making archaeology in all its facets accessible to the wider public. It believes that through education for a love of the past and archaeology, the public in general — and decision-makers in particular — can be encouraged to preserve antiquities and allocate budgets for that purpose. The context for Taglyot's founding was a decline in the public standing of archaeology in Israel during the last third of the 20th century, part of a broader decline in the status of the humanities worldwide. In the first decades of the State of Israel there had been broad public interest in new archaeological discoveries, with many visiting excavated sites that received budgets for excavation, preservation, and tourism development. Zionist leaders often saw archaeology as a tool to demonstrate the connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, following discoveries such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Siloam Tunnel inscription, remains of the siege at Masada, ancient synagogues like Beit Alpha, and biblical tels such as Megiddo, Hazor, and Gezer. National events were held at archaeological sites, including youth movement marches and military ceremonies at Masada and processions to the tombs of the Maccabees. In the last third of the 20th century, however, the status of archaeology declined along with the status of the humanities. Steve Rosen suggested that the decline of archaeology in Israeli identity stemmed from internal reasons including the decline of nationalism, the national myth, and identity formation alongside the rise of historical criticism. The critical research approach was adopted by various archaeologists who questioned past attempts to use archaeological remains as proof of biblical stories; a critical voice can be read, for example, in an article by archaeologist Prof. Ze'ev Herzog published in the Haaretz supplement in 1999 under the title 'The Bible — No Evidence on the Ground.' Another reason for the decline in archaeology's public standing was that new archaeological finds and studies did not receive broad media exposure as before; most new discoveries were published in scientific journals and academic conferences that were generally not open or known to the general public. In recent decades there has been a certain positive change in public interest in archaeology, following the exposure of especially impressive archaeological finds (such as the giant excavations at Tel Beit Shemesh, the enormous Neolithic settlement at Motza, the Byzantine wine factory at Yavne, and Tel a-Swir), tourism development of antiquities sites, community archaeological projects (such as in the Old City of Lod), and outreach and education activities such as those conducted by Taglyot. Taglyot was founded in 2004 by the Israeli Institute of Archaeology association to return archaeology to the center of public discourse. It serves as a leading, up-to-date, reliable, and high-quality communication channel that conveys burning academic topics to the general public in various ways. Its activities are conducted by senior researchers from academia and the Israel Antiquities Authority and are presented reliably and at eye level. Taglyot works to raise awareness of the newest research, academic controversies of public interest, and ongoing current debates. Over the years, leading Israeli archaeologists from all existing research schools in Israeli academia have lectured and guided within Taglyot's framework. Examples include Prof. Aharon Meir, Prof. Assaf Yasur-Landau, Prof. Arthur Segal, Prof. Boaz Zissu, Prof. Yuval Gadot, Prof. Yosef Garfinkel, Prof. Israel Finkelstein, Prof. Moshe Fischer, Prof. Oded Lipschits, Prof. Ami Mazar, Prof. Nili Wazana, Prof. Ayelet Gilboa, Prof. Yana Tchekhanovets, Prof. Rina Talgam, and others. Taglyot advocates creating a direct connection between the public, researchers, and archaeological finds. For example, during tours participants are invited to visit antiquities sites, see new finds, and hear guidance at the site itself from the archaeologists who excavated and researched the sites. The 'Taglyot Conference,' held annually in January, is the largest and most popular archaeology conference in Israel, with over 400 participants each year. During the conference, researchers present recently uncovered archaeological discoveries and research innovations to the general public. Each year the conference theme changes; over the years it has dealt with archaeology and the Bible, the archaeology of the Temple Mount, archaeology and the New Testament, plagues in the ancient world, ancient Egypt and the Bible, and more. In addition, Taglyot operates enrichment activities including: an information repository on the Taglyot website of accessible articles on archaeology written by experts; a weekly lecture series by senior experts presenting new archaeological discoveries to the public outside academic conferences; tours to archaeological sites guided by the archaeologists who excavated them; continuing-education courses for tour guides recognized by the Ministry of Tourism, aimed at training guides to convey reliable and up-to-date archaeological information to tourists and the Israeli public; study seminars abroad with an archaeology emphasis guided by Israeli experts in destinations with an archaeological focus (such as Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Italy, Greece, and more); and volunteering in archaeological excavations managed by the Israeli Institute of Archaeology.

• 2004

  Taglyot founded by the Israeli Institute of Archaeology association.

• Annual Taglyot Conference established, held each January with over 400 participants.

The leading body in Israel specializing in disseminating archaeology to the general public, acting as a bridge between the academic world and the wider audience.

• Guided archaeological tours in Israel

  Tours to antiquities sites led by the archaeologists who excavated them.

• Annual Taglyot Conference

  Held each January; described as the largest and most popular archaeology conference in Israel with over 400 participants.

• Weekly lecture series

  Senior experts present new archaeological discoveries to the public outside academic conferences.

• Tour guide continuing-education courses

  Recognized by the Ministry of Tourism; train guides to convey reliable and up-to-date archaeological information.

• Overseas archaeology study seminars

  Guided by Israeli experts in destinations such as Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Italy, and Greece.

• Volunteer excavation programs

  Volunteering in archaeological excavations managed by the Israeli Institute of Archaeology.

• Online articles repository

  Accessible articles on archaeology written by experts.

1. 1תגליות דף ראשי - מכון ישראלי לארכיאולוגיהisraeliarchaeology.org
2. 2Taglyot - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3תגליות - Wikipedia (Hebrew)he.wikipedia.org