Andrew Lawler: Under Jerusalem: The Buried History Of The World’s Most Contested City (Winner)
Felicia A. Holton Book Award
The Archaeological Institute of America and the Center for American Archeology are pleased to present the 2024 Felicia A. Holton Book Award to Mr. Andrew Lawler for his book Under Jerusalem: The Buried History of the World’s Most Contested City, published by Doubleday in 2021.
Under Jerusalem takes its readers through the history of Jerusalem’s material past, from the mid-19th century to the present day. As one might expect, this is a monumental task, not only because of the extent of this material, but also for the sensitivity required to tell these stories. Jerusalem is perhaps one of the most ‘archaeological’ places in the world, and Mr. Lawler dives deep into the evidence, telling these difficult and important stories clearly and soberly, letting the reader decide for themselves how best to understand the events in question. Consequently, this book is one that should stimulate productive debate among its readers, especially as regards the ethical, moral, and political stakes of archaeology, the way that archaeology has been used as a tool for imperial and colonial powers, and the clear stakes of archaeology’s impact on the modern world.
This book provokes debate about the nature of archaeology, its past and its future, and how to tell its story in Jerusalem, all questions of interest to members of the greater archaeological community. Under Jerusalem tells difficult and even heartbreaking stories, but they are also the ones that we need to hear in order to think through the power of the past, the harm that it has done, and the possibilities for it to be a force for good in the world.
Mr. Lawler’s skillful use of prose has made the book extremely engaging and enjoyable to read. This book provokes debate about the nature of archaeology, its past and its future, and how to tell its story in Jerusalem, all questions of interest to members of the greater archaeological community.
This book presents an invaluable and endlessly thought-provoking resource which will undoubtably be used for decades to come and for this reason the Archaeological Institute of America is pleased to recognize Mr. Andrew Lawler with the 2024 Felicia A. Holton Book Award.
