On November 10, 2020, the President of the Israel Academy, Prof. Nili Cohen, attended an event marking the 100th anniversary of the Archaeological Council of Israel, which succeeded the Archaeological Advisory Board established in 1920 by the British Mandate Authorities. It is defined in the Israel Antiquities Law as the highest expert advisory body to the Minister of Culture and Sport, the Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Chairperson of the Board of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

 

The event took place in the official residence of the President of Israel, in the presence of the President of the State, Mr. Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin, the Minister of Culture and Sport, Mr. Hili Tropper, the British Ambassador to Israel, Mr. Neil Wigan, the Chairperson of the Board of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Prof. Joshua Schwartz, and the Chairperson of the Archaeological Council, Dr. Guy Stiebel.

 

In the framework of the event, the participants were given a tour of the archaeological artifacts displayed in the garden of the President’s Residence. They received explanations of finds from various periods, including a beautiful seal from the First Temple period and a bulla discovered in the Givati Parking Lot excavations. The tour was followed by a festive meeting.

 

Marking the 100th anniversary of the Archaeological Council of Israel (photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO)