Archaeology as a Weapon: Long-lasting legacies of colonialism and nationalism in Israel, Palestine, Cyprus and Greece
Series: SERIES IN HERITAGE STUDIES
Publisher: Vernon Press  https://vernonpress.com/book/2322
Published: June 2025
Place of publication: USA and Spain
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover, 90 pictures
Number of pages: 374
ISBN-13: 9798881902735
Description: This study consists of some reflections on the link between archaeology and nationalism in Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Palestine, including the effects of colonialism. These countries have something in common - the reconstruction of the past through archaeology to claim territories and to strengthen modern national identity. 
In Israel, archaeology and religion have been exploited to construct the Israeli state and still play a crucial role in justifying Israel’s territorial demands. Religion is, further, widely used as a means to insist on a supposed continuity with ancient Israel. The country claims to be the conqueror of Palestine under the protection of God, who they believe gave them possession of the land. Nationalistic perceptions have transformed archaeology to become an efficient political tool. 
Scholars today believe that archaeologists have an important role and need to take a more ethically responsible approach to the politics of the region. All research concerning the past is influenced by politics and contemporary perspectives and it is of great importance that archaeologists take an active stand against the political misuse of the field. Through nationalism, archaeology has been exploited by far-right movements and political parties that provide false narratives of a great past and claim ownership of heritage.
Notes: 90 pictures
Table of contents: title: ARCHAEOLOGY AS WEAPON; title: PREFACE; title: INTRODUCTION; title: CHAPTER ONE; title: ISRAEL – The Legacy of Legends; title: Colonialism and Zionism; title: History; title: Israeli archaeology; title: The Myth of Masada; title: Archaeology and the Bible; title: A new trend in biblical archaeology; title: Hobby Lobby smuggling scandal; title: Jerusa¬lem – Al Quds; title: “City of David”; title: Fierce debate and summary; title: Chapter summary; title: CHAPTER TWO; title: PALESTINE – Paradise Lost; title: Colonial Archaeology; title: History; title: Archaeology and ethnic nationalism; title: The problems of archaeologists; title: Attacks on cultural heritage sites; title: A Tale of Murder and Archeology; title: Gaza; title: Looting and plundering; title: Arabs and Jews are closely related; title: Chapter summary; title: CHAPTER THREE; title: CYPRUS - The Tears of Aphrodite; title: British colonial period in Cyprus; title: “Hellenisation” of Cyprus?; title: The introduction of the Greek language; title: Mycenaeans in Crete; title: Hellenist nationalism in Cyprus; title: Looting and blacklisting; title: “Famagusta 2007: An Appeal for International Cooperation”; title: “Who are the Cypriots? Where did they come from?”; title: The ancestry of the inhabitants of Cyprus; title: Genetics and nationalism; title: Chapter summary; title: CHAPTER FOUR; title: GREECE - Land of White Lies; title: Freedom versus Barbarism; title: The Olympic Games; title: Macedonia and Hellenism; title: The Amphipolis excavations; title: Heritage spectacles; title: Museums; title: Archaeogenetics racialized; title: More genetics about the Mediterranean area; title: Archaeology and dictatorship; title: “Classics Made Great Again”; title: Chapter summary; title: EPILOGUE; title: Looting and destruction of heritage in Gaza; title: Spain celebrates its Muslim past; title: Sweden and the nationalist party the Sweden Democrats (SD); title: BIBLIOGRAPHY