Encyclopedia of Islam

archaeology

  

59  J

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Western archaeologists have explored sites in the 

Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf since the 

late 1800s, excavations in Mecca and Medina are 

forbidden because these are holy cities.

Muslims were involved with European and 

American archaeological activities from the begin-

ning—as authorities who negotiated with them 

over excavation and ownership rights and as 

laborers. Moreover, Muslims began to acquire the 

necessary education and training to participate in 

joint excavations with Westerners and to conduct 

their own projects, starting in Egypt, t

Urkey

,

and Iraq. Muslim archaeologists also participated 

in the founding and administration of national 

archaeological societies and museums that now 

exist in nearly all Muslim countries. In coop-

eration with international organizations, these 

institutions provide new knowledge about the 

past, help protect valued monuments and artifacts 

from destruction as their respective countries 

undergo rapid modernization, and often encour-

age tourism to locations of historical importance. 

In addition, governments in recently independent 

countries benefit from such institutions in their 

efforts to forge national identities that link them 

to their ancient and Islamic heritages.

See also 

architectUre

; o

rientalism

.