The Weaponization of Archaeology

Archaeology at Tell Sebastia, a multilayered site with deep historical significance, has been weaponized in the Israel–Palestine conflict. Israeli authorities and settler groups have reshaped its narrative to emphasize Jewish biblical heritage through new excavations, land confiscation, and restricted Palestinian access, illustrating the intersection of heritage, power, and structural violence within settler colonialism. The study, based on interviews with ten Sebastia residents, reveals how these actions exacerbate cultural displacement and political control in a contested region.

Al-Houdalieh, S. H. (2026). The Weaponization of Archaeology. Heritage, Memory and Conflict Journal, 6(1), 227–238. https://doi.org/10.5117/hmc2026.1.012.alho