Part 2: The Restoration and Documentation Project of the Shrine of Emad Al-Din on Mount Ebal, Nablus.

By Loay Abu Alsaud

Location: Mount Ebal, Nablus
Historical Context: Early Ottoman Period to the present day
Project Start Date: April 17, 2023

The shrine of Emad Al-Din, located on Mount Ebal in Nablus, is a significant historical and religious site from the early Ottoman period (16th century CE). Over the years, the shrine fell into disrepair due to neglect, theft, and looting by treasure hunters, which caused severe damage to its structure and antiquities. Recognising its historical and cultural importance, the Society of Palestinian Archaeologists, in collaboration with the An-Najah National University Nablus as its academic partner, sought the necessary permissions from Ministry of Palestinian Antiquities, and the Al-Awqaf Ministry in Nablus to launch a restoration and documentation project to save and repurpose the site for contemporary religious, community, and visitor use. The project is ongoing, and forms a part of the field training of the MA students of archaeology at An-Najah University, under the supervision of Dr. Loay Abu al Saud.

In July 2024, our team focused on cleaning the main yard of the shrine, which is an essential part of understanding the historical and cultural context of the site. The small trench excavation in the western part of the yard to locate the shrine’s main entrance is a crucial step in identifying architectural features that could provide valuable insights into the structure and function of the shrine.

The possibility of uncovering ancient structures, potentially predating Islam, adds significant archaeological and historical value to the project. Such findings could reveal a lot about the pre-Islamic period and the continuity or transformation of sacred sites over time. This discovery could also help in tracing the shrine’s evolution and its role in the religious landscape of the region.

Since its inception, the project has focused on documenting and recording the shrine, preserving it for future generations, and restoring it to a building which can be used by the local community. Project participants have excavated and recorded the shrine, taking comprehensive photographs and making numerous architectural drawings to document its original design and current condition. Restoration work is ongoing to stabilise the monument and protect it from further damage, with the aim of making it a safe venue for the local community to use. This is a key feature of the project – to be meaningful today, cultural heritage projects must also envisage the way in which the local community might engage with the resource for their own benefit, to bring their cultural heritage into their lives in an active and imaginative way.

Thanks to the hard work of the team, the shrine is already accessible to the local community, even though the project is not yet completed.

The project aims to transform the shrine into a multifunctional cultural and religious site. One area of the shrine will be converted into a mosque for community worship, whilst another will serve as a museum to display artifacts and tell the story of the shrine’s history. This will link to an interpretation centre to enhance tourism and provide educational materials about the site and the broader history of the area.

On completion of the project the team will publish a scholarly paper documenting the restoration process, architectural features, and historical significance of the shrine.

Conclusion

The restoration of the Shrine of Emad Al-Din represents an exemplary effort to preserve Palestine’s cultural heritage. By integrating religious, educational, and touristic functions, the project not only safeguards the shrine for future generations but also highlights its role as a living part of the community. While the project is ongoing, its achievements thus far have set a strong foundation for its ultimate success.