Ayman Hassouna

Last updated

Ayman Hassouna
Ayman Hassouna portrait.png
CitizenshipPalestinian
Occupations
  • Archaeologist
  • University lecturer
Academic work
DisciplineArchaeology
Sub-disciplineArchaeology of Gaza
Institutions

Ayman Hassouna is a Palestinian archaeologist and university teacher. He has worked for the Department of Antiquities of Gaza and lectured at the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG). Hassouna has led excavations at the Byzantine Church of Jabalia and been involved in conservation projects.

Contents

Biography

In 1995, Hassouna joined the team of archaeologists excavating Anthedon and was involved in the project for nearly a decade. [1] While working for the Department of Antiquities of Gaza in the 1990s, Hassouna led the excavations of the Byzantine Church of Jabalia along with Yasser Matar. [2] He has also been involved in conservation and restoration projects at historic sites in Gaza, consulting on the conservation of a Byzantine mosaic floor in Abasan al-Kabira, [3] and working with the project at Saint Hilarion Monastery. [4] Hassouna has criticised Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel for conservation challenges facing Palestinian heritage sites. [5]

The GAZAMAP team surveying the summit of Tell Ruqeish in 2022. Hassouna led the fieldwork to train students from IUG. Features of Tell Ruqeish on the beach (7).jpg
The GAZAMAP team surveying the summit of Tell Ruqeish in 2022. Hassouna led the fieldwork to train students from IUG.

Hassouna has worked at the Islamic University of Gaza as professor of history and archaeology. [5] He collaborated with the Gaza Maritime Archaeology Project (GAZAMAP) project on behalf of IUG from 2022 to 2023 and as field director he led student training expeditions to Tell es-Sakan and Tell Ruqeish. [6] [7] The project aimed to document these sites and create expertise in maritime archaeology within Gaza. [7] [6]

Hassouna continued teaching through the COVID-19 pandemic, using Zoom to deliver lectures, and used the same methods to teach during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. [1] [6] The main buildings of IUG were destroyed early in the Gaza war. [8] Following the start of the invasion in October 2023, Hassouna and his family evacuated from Gaza City. They lived in cramped temporary accommodation and had to relocate again as the fighting spread. [1] His home was destroyed during the invasion and, in 2024, Hassouna evacuated to Egypt and proceeded to the UAE. [6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Geranpayeh, Sarvy (29 February 2024). "Dreams of rebuilding Gaza: five culture workers share their stories". The Art Newspaper. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  2. ↑ Humbert, Jean-Baptiste (1999). "The rivers of Paradise in the Byzantine Church near Jabaliyah – Gaza". In Piccirillo, Michele; Alliata, Eugenio (eds.). The Madaba Map Centenary 1897–1997: Travelling Through the Byzantine Umayyad Period. Collectio maior. Vol. 40. Jerusalem: Studium Biblicum Franciscanum. pp. 216–218. Archived from the original on 27 February 2009.
  3. ↑ Iwan Center Launches Absan Mosaic Floor Conservation & Restoration Project, Islamic University of Gaza, 17 December 2021, retrieved 9 May 2025
  4. ↑ St. Hilarion Monastery is witness to the history of Palestine, Palestine Information Center, 23 February 2019, retrieved 9 May 2025
  5. 1 2 "Gazans struggle to protect antiquities from neglect, looting". Times of Israel. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Our Universities Live On: An Interview with Dr. Ayman Hassouna, Professor in Ancient Archaeology at the Islamic University of Gaza, Friends of Birzeit University, 6 March 2025, retrieved 9 May 2025
  7. 1 2 Andreou, Georgia; ElKhoudary, Yasmeen (12 May 2022), GAZAMAP – Maritime archaeological survey and assessment at Tell Ruqeish and Tell es-Sakan (Gaza Strip) – 2022, Honor Frost Foundation, retrieved 9 May 2025
  8. ↑ Da Silva, Chantal; Salam, Yasmine; Mulligan, Matthew; Britton, Bianca (4 April 2024). "Class Destroyed". NBC News. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
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