Call for Data
Help us with providing data for the European Database on Jewish Archaeology
Project Yesod is dedicated to the study, public interpretation, and protection of Jewish archaeological heritage in Europe-namely the material remains of ancient Jewish communities, such as living places, working places, and religious structures that lie buried underneath Europe's modern streets, fields, and cityscapes.
Archaeology has shown its value in uncovering the daily lives and hidden histories of many ancient cultures in both Europe and other parts of the world. Indeed the excavation of important sites in Israel and other parts of the Middle East has provided indispensable information on the origins and early history of the Jewish people. Yet archaeology's potential in shedding light on the many Jewish communities that existed in Europe from the end of the Roman Empire to the dawn of the modern era (ca. 500-1500 CE) has still not generally been appreciated by scholars, modern Jewish communities, and the European public at large. Moreover, the buried remains of ancient Jewish Quarters and settlements throughout Europe is now under threat of destruction through carelessness, extensive urban development, and simple neglect.
Project Yesod therefore seeks to study, protect, and preserve the archaeological evidence of one of Europe's most ancient minorities.
Conceived as a prototype for a new vision of Europe's archaeological heritage, Project Yesod seeks to encourage the recognition of religious difference and cultural diversity as basic, long-term constituents of European society.
It is an initiative of the Ename Center for Public Archaeology and Heritage Presentation in cooperation with organisations in the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Italy and the United States.