Heritage in Gaza: A test in archaeological ethics

This Friday, Dr. Georgia Andreou’s (University of Southampton) will be giving a talk on Heritage in Gaza: A test in archaeological ethics. This event is co-sponsored by The Archeology Centre, U of T, and the Department of Classics.

Dr. Andreou is an Assistant Professor in Archeology and a research associate at the Maritime Endangered Archaeology Project (MarEA), the aim of which is the rapid and comprehensive documentation and assessment of endangered maritime archaeological sites. At MarEA, Dr. Andreou has used her expertise in GIS and remote sensing to produce a record of endangered sites in Eastern Mediterranean and the Arabian Peninsula. Her research examines how traditional perceptions of the ancient environment affect the way we collect archaeological data and produce broader historical narratives.

When: November 8, 4pm – 6pm.

Where: 220 Lillian Massey Building, 125 Queens Park

Abstract

Working with heritage in the Gaza Strip even prior to its unprecedented devastation was conditioned by limitations impacting the physical and intellectual labour involved in archaeological praxis. From financial and technological constraints to conditional and prescribed integration of local voices in the production of knowledge, Gazan archaeology and heritage are often presented as victims of “historical circumstances”.

This talk reflects on the intellectual foundations of archaeology in Gaza. It presents the results of a baseline survey documenting archaeological sites before the current war. It introduces a University of Southampton project that developed accessible and low-cost workflows to monitor Gaza’s deteriorating sites (GAZAMAP 2021-2023). It concludes with a reflection on the ethics and politics of assessing heritage destruction during active war.