Rising from Ashes: Jerusalem’s Emotional Tribute to Oct. 7 Massacre Heroes
A new Jerusalem exhibition, opening August 6, showcases how archaeologists helped identify victims and recover personal items after the October 7 massacre, using their expertise to bring closure. The initiative, paired with digital preservation efforts, honors the tragedy’s memory while supporting regional recovery.
On August 6, 2025, a poignant exhibition titled “Rising from the Ashes: Archaeology in a National Crisis” will open at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem, highlighting the Israel Antiquities Authority’s (IAA) critical role in recovering remains and personal items after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre. Located between the Israel Museum and the Bible Lands Museum, the exhibit marks the first public showcase of how archaeologists, typically focused on ancient ruins, aided in identifying victims of the attack that killed over 1,200 and left 251 abducted. “Professionals who developed their skills to interpret ancient archaeology found themselves digging amongst the rubble of just-destroyed houses,” said project director Leora Berry. “Through their unique expertise, they were able to identify scant human remains and restore their faces, names, and memory.”
The IAA’s efforts led to the identification of 16 missing individuals, providing closure to grieving families. Recovered items, such as jewelry crafted by Yona Fricker, returned to her daughter Stav Miles for her wedding day, and a necklace belonging to murdered Shani Gabay, carried profound emotional weight. IAA Director Eli Escusido, noting the exhibit’s launch post-Tisha B’Av, said, “It reflects the savage destruction suffered by the ‘Gaza Envelope’ communities in our own time. It is our duty to preserve, document, and ensure the survival of the memory of the most difficult episodes in our history.”
The IAA, alongside the Ministry of Heritage and Tekuma Directorate, has employed 3D modeling to create “digital twins” of devastated sites, preserving the legacy of kibbutzim like Be’eri and Kfar Aza, where 15% of structures were destroyed, per IDF estimates. The adults-only exhibition, guided by trained professionals, uses narration and multimedia to sensitively convey the tragedy. “The horrors of Oct. 7 will remain engraved in our collective consciousness,” the IAA stated, “even as the region rebuilds and heals.” Social media on X praised the initiative, with one user noting, “Archaeology healing Oct. 7 wounds, powerful.”
