Mission of the Israel Antiquities Authority

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) is the leading professional body for the study of the archaeology of Israel. This includes excavation, preservation, conservation, and study of Israel’s antiquities at the highest scientific level. The IAA strives to increase public awareness and interest in the country's archaeological heritage through educational activities, publication, and making Israel’s antiquities available to as wide a public as possible.

History

The IAA was established in 1990 as the governing body for archaeology in Israel. The IAA assumed the duties of its predecessor, the Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums (IDAM), and operates under the responsibilities set forth in the Israel Antiquities Authority Law (1989).

One of the IAA’s first priorities was conserving, researching, and publishing the Dead Sea Scrolls collection. In 2010, a 40-volume publication of the scrolls was completed. The IAA also continued IDAM’s Archaeological Survey of Israel and publication of scholarly journals including Atiqot and Hadashot Arkheologiyot. The IAA protects Israel’s antiquities by enforcing the Law of Antiquities (1978) which prohibits unlicensed excavation and requires all antiquities discovered in Israel from 1978 on to be reported to the IAA as property of the state.

The IAA continues to safeguard Israel’s antiquities through excellence in scholarship, refining and enforcing regulations regarding antiquities, and sharing their discoveries with the global public.

Vision

The IAA strives to preserve, conserve and study the archaeological heritage of the country at the highest scientific level, while maintaining a balance between development needs and antiquities preservation.The IAA aims to increase public awareness and interest in the country's archaeological heritage and encourages the professional capabilities of its employees and their obligations to the organization and its goals.

Learn More

Visit the IAA’s website to learn more.

Make a Gift

Your gift allows the IAA to continue discovering, preserving, and sharing the Land of Israel's archaeological heritage.