
The Palestine Exploration Fund
The PEF was founded in 1865 and is the oldest organization in the world created specifically for the study of the Levant, the southern portion of which was conventionally known as ‘Palestine’.
PEF Office Hours: We are generally open to visitors Monday to Thursday 11am to 4pm, but please do ring 0207 935 5379 or email execsec@pef.org.uk / collections@pef.org.uk to confirm.
WATCH OUR VIDEOS
Watch our latest videos on our YouTube channel. Andrew Lawler’s lecture on Under Jerusalem, and Bashar Tabbah presenting Sacred Architecture: An exploration of Al-Aqsa Mosque’s complex history and landmark
Please note that views expressed at our lectures and events do not necessarily represent the views of the PEF, but are the speaker’s and/or audience’s own.
OUR STATEMENT ON THE TRAGEDY UNFOLDING IN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL.
The Palestine Exploration Fund has a long history of over 150 years of engagement in the Middle East. We consider ourselves to be a non-political, non-religious, and non-sectarian organisation. Prompted by the dreadful consequences of the present war in Gaza and Israel, our thoughts are with all those whose lives are being torn apart. We deplore and unequivocally condemn the use of violence against all civilian populations and add our voice to those calling for a peaceful resolution of the present conflict.
JONATHAN TUBB, 1951 – 2023. The PEF is greatly saddened by the death of its President and previous Chairman, Jonathan Tubb, on September the 25th, 2023, following a long illness. Jonathan was Curator of the Levant at the British Museum for over 40 years, and was Keeper of the Department of Middle East since 2011 until his retirement in 2021. He was best known for his excavations at the Jordanian site of Tell es Sa’idiyeh, and for the British Museum’s Iraq Scheme. At the PEF, Jonathan headed up the launch of the new PEF Annuals series, which are a core part of the PEF’s academic output today. He also facilitated the cordial relationship between the PEF and the British Museum, which also continues, to the benefit of both institutions. He was a wise, genial colleague and friend, and will be sorely missed.
LATEST NEWS & ARTICLES
Congratulations to Our Newest PEF-AIAR Fellow: Dr. Madaline Harris-Schober
We’re very pleased to announce the latest recipient of the Palestine Exploration Fund-Albright Institute Fellowship, Dr. Madaline Harris-Schober from the University of Melbourne and Ludwig
Islamic Baydha Project 2022/2023: steps towards publication
During the past few years, the Islamic Baydha Project has been moving towards data processing and publication of the results from the study of the
The Petra Hinterland Social Landscapes Project. Launch of First Season in 2022
By Will M. Kennedy After some considerable delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first field season of the Petra Hinterland Social Landscapes Project (PHSLP)
Spadeologists: Australians and the Shellal Mosaic
By James Donaldson The Shellal mosaic is the floor of a 6th century church removed from high ground north of Wadi Ghuzze at Shellal by
Investigating changing socio-economic landscapes in the Early Bronze Age Levant through Zooarchaeology
By Gwendoline Maurer & Mariana Albuquerque UCL Institute of Archaeology. Back in February 2022, we received the great news in our inbox that The Palestine
‘‘Sacred Landscapes’’: the Umayyad Syro-Jordanian Hajj Roads to Mecca and their Pilgrim Camps
By Claudine Dauphin. 8th May 2022: after two Covid years I am back in Amman to investigate the Umayyad Hajj road to Mecca, after tracing
PEF event: “The Oddest Archaeologists to Visit Jerusalem.” The story of the notorious Parker expedition and the search for the Temple treasures.
Tuesday 15th November 2022 6pm The mystery surrounding the Ark of the Covenant’s location is one of the world’s greatest and most enduring. Of the quests
Researching Palestinian psychiatric patients at the Lebanon Hospital for Mental Diseases
By Chris Sandal-Wilson. Back in March 2020, with the Covid-19 pandemic escalating and the first national lockdown beginning in the United Kingdom, a rare piece
Overlooked Archaeologists of Palestine
By Loay Abu Alsaud. Our endeavour was to bring to light early contributions made to archaeology in Palestine by key Palestinians who have been overlooked
Support our work
The PEF is an independent registered charity and receives no external Goverment funding. Any donation, however large or small, is always gratefully received.
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Latest News
- 17 July 2023·
Congratulations to Our Newest PEF-AIAR Fellow: Dr. Madaline Harris-Schober
- 27 April 2023·
Islamic Baydha Project 2022/2023: steps towards publication
- 16 February 2023·