Conference Speakers
Mazen Iwaisi
Mazen Iwaisi completed his PhD at Queen’s University Belfast in the UK, focusing on the concept of archaeo-politics in the making of the Palestinian National Spatial Plan (PNSP). His research delves into the relationship between archaeology, cultural heritage in spatial urban planning. Currently, Iwaisi is leading two research projects that center on erasure in Gaza and India. His work will be published in the Journal of American Anthropologists and the Journal of Archaeological Dialogues. In addition, he is working on a project that re-examines the landscape of his village, Al-Lubban Ash-Sharqiya, in Palestine, which is home to six archaeological sites dating back to the Bronze Age. One of the keys focuses of this project is re-evaluating the significance of Khan (caravansary) Al-Lubban, which is facing potential confiscation by Israeli settlers based on biblical claims. Furthermore, the ongoing restoration of his family’s traditional house is at the core of this project. The house is planned to become a local museum and visitors center for the area. Iwaisi has also recently published an article that identifies family-based museums in Palestine, created and funded outside the realm of the state and NGOs. This project serves as a precursor to a larger endeavour that will map out local museums in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Jamal Barghouth
Jamal Barghouth finished his first degree at Beirzet University in the field of archaeology and history. He did his master’s degree at Leuven University in Belgium. His experience in archaeology is mainly focused on landscape archaeology, the history of Palestinian archaeology, the archaeology of Nakba and the technological applications of archaeology. Recently, my focus was to analyze the paradigm shift in the archaeology of Palestine. Such as historical archaeology and (post)-processual archaeology. In addition to analyzing the colonial context of archaeology in Palestine, through investigating how coloniality is shaping the archaeological research in Palestine. Finally, to introduce the epistemological disobedience in Palestinian archaeology. Through delinking archaeology from the Eurocentric periodization and meta-narrative of the rise and fall of ancient Israel and Rome.
Ghassan Sa’id Nagagreh
Jamal Barghouth finished his first degree at Beirzet University in the field of archaeology and history. He did his master’s degree at Leuven University in Belgium. His experience in archaeology is mainly focused on landscape archaeology, the history of Palestinian archaeology, the archaeology of Nakba and the technological applications of archaeology. Recently, my focus was to analyze the paradigm shift in the archaeology of Palestine. Such as historical archaeology and (post)-processual archaeology. In addition to analyzing the colonial context of archaeology in Palestine, through investigating how coloniality is shaping the archaeological research in Palestine. Finally, to introduce the epistemological disobedience in Palestinian archaeology. Through delinking archaeology from the Eurocentric periodization and meta-narrative of the rise and fall of ancient Israel and Rome.
Karim Yahya
I am a social entrepreneur committed to documenting endangered heritage. My interest in this field was sparked during my hikes across Palestine, where I observed the need to preserve cultural sites.
Eyal Weizman’s forensic architecture methodology inspired one of our most impactful projects. Over two years, we reconstructed Al-Shiekh Muwannis Village by gathering and analysing terrestrial and aerial photos alongside other archival data.
To broaden the reach of our work, we created the mobile exhibition “Beit Um Hosny,” which reconstructs the village’s architecture and natural landscape based on the memories of its original residents, my grandmom’s memories. The exhibition features models, video works, and virtual tours that recreate daily life in Sheikh Muwannis before its displacement. This project began with conversations with my grandmother, Afifa Saleh Dahnoos, whose recollections were integral to our research. The exhibition includes architectural models and historical photos, vividly portraying the village and its displacement.
This work highlights the contrast between the surviving buildings, like the “Green House” and a wheat mill, and the current state of the area now occupied by Tel Aviv University. It aims to preserve the village’s memory and educate the public about its historical significance.
Luma Qumsieh
Luma has finished BSc Degree in Architecture in year 2000 from Birzeit University in Palestine, Luma Worked at CCHP from 2007 as an architect in the” Bethlehem Area Conservation and Management Plan” project. Mrs. Khoury was the coordinator for the Bethlehem Area Conservation and Management Plan. The plan was the first in Palestine for the protection of The Three Historic Centers of Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour. The Plan was followed by preparing bylaws for the protection of traditional heritage building in the three Historic Towns, which was adopted by the Palestinian authority through Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Ministry of Local Government.
In 2012, Ms. Khoury became the head for rehabilitation Unit at CCHP. She has a key role in leading the Centre to implement several pioneering projects in the field of Cultural Heritage. She has contributed in the Centre efforts for designing projects, and supervising its implementation. Since 2016, Mrs. Khoury is the Co- director for the Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation. During her directorship of the Centre, she has led the preservation efforts for the built-up heritage in Bethlehem governorate and utilizing cultural heritage resources as a tool for tourism development, she has represented Palestine in several international workshops and seminars in the field of Cultural Heritage preservation. Mrs. Khoury enjoys outstanding relations with ministries, local municipalities, contractors, and partner organizations, she has participated in several national and international workshops about the Preservation of Cultural Heritage.
Hussein Madina
Hussein Madina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a focus on Palestinian Archaeology from Birzeit University, obtained in 2008. He also holds a Higher Diploma in Archaeology from Paris 1 University in 2011 and a Master’s degree in Archaeology and Environment from Paris 1 University in 2012, with a concentration in Archaeobotany. His thesis is titled “Plant Economy and Agricultural Practices in Southern Levant during the Early Bronze Age: A Study of Charred Plant Remains from Tell al-Sakan Site in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.” He earned his Ph.D. in the same field in 2019 from Paris 1 University (Panthéon-Sorbonne), with his thesis titled “Plant Economy and Agricultural Patterns in Palestine from the Early Bronze Age to the End of the Ottoman Period: A Study of Archaeobotanical Remains from Archaeological Sites and Ethnographic Study.” The researcher is interested in the traditional agricultural economy, food processing, and crops in Palestine and Jordan. He has participated in numerous scientific and research projects in Palestine and Jordan, such as Kharaneh IV archaeological project in northeastern Jordan, excavations at the Umm al-Surab archaeological site, Jericho (Kh. al-Mafjar), excavations at Tell Quila, Khirbet Birzeit, Khirbet Siya, Sebastia, Tell Sufer, and excavations at Tell al-Tulul in the Tulkarm Governorate. Recently, he worked on the Al Ula archaeological project (Mudud Project) in Saudi Arabia as an Archaeobotanist, in collaboration with the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. As a post- doctoral researcher, he is in charge of reconstructing the paleoenvironment and agricultural practices in the Al Ula Oasis during ancient times by studying the Archaeobotanical samples from the old town of Al Ula.
Marchella Ward
(“Chella”) is Lecturer in Classical Studies at the Open University, UK. Her work concerns the acts of political world-making made possible by the discourse of the classical, especially those that are Islamophobic or otherwise unjust. She is the author of a book on ableism and classical reception, and also the co-editor of Critical Ancient World Studies: The Case for Forgetting Classics (2024, Open Access), which resulted from collaboration with a global collective on decolonizing approaches to the ancient world. She is currently working on a monograph that uses Edward Said to read the politics of classicism, and co-editing a book that examines how changing the way we tell the story of ancient history would support Palestinian liberation, following an event on the relationship between genocide and the destruction of heritage held in January 2024. She writes frequently for non-specialists, across various open access platforms including the ReOrientations blog, and also writes for children.
Raffaella De Marco
Ph.D., Engineer and Architect, MSCA Research Fellow at the University of Pavia (Italy), collaborating at DAda-LAB. Young member of Europa Nostra Network, ESACH Member, ISPRS Member.
Her research deals with the development of digital databases, 3D reality-based models on Cultural and Endangered Heritage for conservation, valorisation and management protocols. Collaborating in international research missions on UNESCO sites for range-based and photogrammetric documentation at architectural and urban scale. Her research activities focus on the definition of 3D digital databases, structural and urban models and the elaboration of Informative Management systems.
Ehab Alafandi
Ehab M. Alafandi is a seasoned professional with over 22 years of experience in architecture, urban planning, and academia. Born in 1979 in Palestine, he holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Birzeit University (in cooperation with Dortmund University) and a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from Annajah National University.
Currently a Full-Time Lecturer at Al Quds University’s Department of Architecture since September 2021, Ehab has also served as the Head of Interior Design Program at Dar Al Kalima University (2019-2021) and a Part-Time Instructor at Al Quds University (2016-2021).
Rosanna Sirignano
Rosanna Maryam Sirignano is currently Honorary fellow at University of Florence and a freelance educator in Arabic language and culture. She holds a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Heidelberg and a Master’s in Islamic Studies from the University of Naples. She had been researching about Palestinian cultural heritage in Hilma Granqvist’s work for more than 15 years. She has worked in transcultural studies and completed training in religious leadership.
Akram M. A. Ijla
Akram M. Lilja, PhD is a researcher and a guest professor in historic conservation and cultural heritage in Sweden. Lilja has published on issues of cultural heritage in conflict, social capital, colonialism and cultural identity of indigenous people, and Heritage Tourism. Dr. Lilja is a public speaker on social justice, children in war and cultural heritage under attack. He received his PhD in sustainable economic development and Public Affairs from Cleveland State University, Ohio, USA in 2008 and post-doctoral fellow at University of Michigan and post-doctoral fellow at Uppsala University in Sweden 2015. Dr. Lilja served in the position of the director general of the department of archaeology and cultural heritage in Gaza before he moved to work in the academic arena. Dr. Lilja served as part-time professor at Al Azhar University of Gaza and full-time professor in Architecture at the University of Palestine-Gaza.
