The IAA Web Site www.antiquities.org.il: A New-Age Organizational Site Yuval Baruch and Rachel Kudish-Vashdi The IAA web site was aired two months ago on July 13th in a festive ceremony at the Israeli parliament (the Knesset) on a day dedicated to the archaeological research. This web site is very composite as it is intended to serve three different circles of users. The first is the internal circle of IAA workers – administrative and scientific staff - for whom the web site serves as a basic working tool; the second are scholars of archaeology outside the IAA, who can now access online the IAA archives and library, as well as receive updated scientific information; and the third is the public who is invited to learn about the IAA and its facilities, to take part in its educational programs and be introduced to its many publications. The character of the IAA web site dictated a site with a very detailed menu, enabling all circles of interest to find their way to the relevant information by means of easy navigation. The main features on the site are as follows:
(1) Administrative information – the organizational structure of the IAA. Who do you inform of antiquities' robbery? In which excavation are volunteers needed? What educational programs are available? What conferences are held this month?
(2) Exhibitions – available online are highlights of several exhibitions held and distributed by the IAA. The most prominent is of course the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, accompanied by specialists' articles describing the discovery of the scrolls, their deciphering and their ongoing preservation in the IAA laboratories.
(3) Articles – the historical background of the establishment of the IAA; the construction of the Rockefeller Museum, the rare books collection in the Rockefeller library the establishment of the Antiquities' Trustees.
(4) Gallery of sites and finds – An index of the significant sites and finds uncovered during archaeological excavations, accessed by an interactive geographic map and complimented by articles of leading scholars of the IAA.
(5) Ongoing excavations – a list of the ongoing excavations conducted by the IAA (updated monthly), accessed by an interactive map and complemented by a short description of the archaeologist and illustrations.
(6) IAA publications - a list of the IAA publications, including their tables of contents, is available for ordering online.
(7) Educational programs - a list of a large range of educational projects for singles and groups, including programs for special events, such as holidays and personal parties. The IAA web site is still undergoing construction, but already received 'site of the day' of the computers' section of y-net.
