The society conducted the first archaeological excavations by Jewish archaeologists at Ḥammat Tiberias (1921), at the Tomb of Absalom (1922) and at the Third Wall of Jerusalem (1925–1927). Upon the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 the society received the first excavation permit issued by the Government of Israel to excavate at Tell Qasile. Since then and through the years of its existence the society organized most of the major archaeological excavations carried out in the country, including: Ramat Raḥel, Beth Shearim, Hazor, Masada, Beit Yeraḥ, ʿEn-Gedi, Arad, Afeq, Jericho, Herodium, Yokneam, Dor, Megiddo, Khirbet Qeiyafa and the Judean Desert Caves, as well as excavations at prehistoric sites including Shaʿar Hagolan, Maʿarat Hayonim, Kebara, and Netiv Hagdud. The society was a partner in Jerusalem excavations carried out after 1967 south of the Temple Mount, in the Jewish Quarter and in the City of David.

            Over many years the late Joseph Aviram (1983–2009) served as the society’s director, followed by Hillel Geva (2009–2022). Dr. Rona Avissar Lewis has recently been appointed its current director. Through all of these years the society continued working to achieve its original important goals, while adapting itself to changing times.

            The Israel Exploration Society is a non-profit organization headed by a board of directors and an executive council consisting of representatives from all of the Israeli archaeological academic institutions and the Israel Antiquities Authority. The society functions as an umbrella organization for Israeli archaeological institutions and is a key player supporting and initiating archaeological research in Israel.

            The Israel Exploration Society’s members enjoy subscriptions to its journals, the Hebrew-language Qadmoniot and the English-language Israel Exploration Journal and receive a 25% discount to society-sponsored events and books.

The society was awarded the Israel Prize in 1989 for its extensive activities involving research concerning the antiquities of the Land of Israel, informing the public and having made a unique contribution to state and society in Israel.

 

Activities of the society on behalf of research:

• The society assists and works together with archaeologists in Israel and abroad involved in research in Israel, organization and financial administration of excavations. It coordinates, together with other institutions, the processing of finds and their final publication in scientific reports.

• The society publishes the Israel Exploration Journal (IEJ), an English-language semi-annual (peer-reviewed) publication dealing with the research of the Southern Levant, presenting outstanding studies by eminent scholars from Israel and abroad. Published since 1950 the IEJ presents archaeological, historical and geographical studies of Israel and the region during all periods.

• The society publishes Eretz-Israel. Archaeological, Historical and Geographical Studies, a peer-reviewed bi-annual journal with articles in Hebrew and English, published since 1951. Each volume of the series is dedicated to a living or deceased key figure in research, with articles focusing upon the main areas of interest of the honoree.

• The society publishes final excavation reports of excavations conducted in Israel in book form. Most of the major excavations in Israel were published by the society.

• The society organizes seminars and congresses on a variety of topics for an academic audience.

• The society organized, in cooperation with other archaeological institutions, international congresses of biblical archaeology (in 1984 and 1990) as well as an international congress on Dead Sea Scroll research (in 1997). Papers presented at these congresses were published in special volumes.

• The society organizes the annual Archaeological Congress, initiated in 1973 by the Israel Exploration Society. Over the years the Israel Antiquities Authority joined as co-organizer of the congress, joined in recent years by the Israel Archaeological Association. Each year a different university hosts and co-organized the congress.

 

The Society also engages in publicizing Land of Israel research and archaeological excavation results among the general public:

• In conjunction with the Israel Antiquities Authority the society publishes Qadmoniot, a Journal for the Antiquities of the Land of Israel and Bible Lands, which presents the latest archaeological findings in an easily readable format. First published in 1968, Qadmoniot has become the main and most important forum presenting innovations in archaeological excavation and research in the Land of Israel. It will now become a peer-reviewed journal, while maintaining a style accessible to the general public.

• The society organizes annual conventions for its members in Israel and abroad. Until today 68 conventions have been held. These include visits to antiquities sites and lectures on the specific topic of each convention. In the framework of these conventions participants visit archaeological sites with guiding by the excavators. Several tours have been conducted in neighboring lands whose ancient cultures were in contact with those of the Land of Israel.

• The society organizes conferences and lecture series for the general public in cooperation with other institutions, covering a variety of topics, with presentations by outstanding scholars.

• The society publishes popular books on Land of Israel research in Hebrew and English. While professionally written and scientifically accurate, these are in a format readily accessible to lay readers.