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Professors Cross and Mazar Honored

The Israel Museum has bestowed on Professor Frank Moore Cross of Harvard University and Professor Benjamin Mazar of Hebrew University its Schimmel Award for distinguished contributions to archaeology.

The Percia Schimmel Award for Distinguished Contribution to Archaeology in Eretz Israel and the Lands of the Bible was established last year by noted New York collector of ancient art Norbert Schimmel in memory of his mother.

Professor Mazar’s citation called him the doyen of Biblical historians and one of the founders of archaeological and historical geographic research in Israel. Excavator of many major sites, Professor Mazar has devoted the past decade to uncovering ancient Jerusalem around the walls of the Temple Mount. During his long career Professor Mazar has encouraged archaeological research in his roles as President of the Israel Exploration Society, President of Hebrew University, and Chairman of Israel’s Archaeological Council.