Department of Antiquities (Mandatory Palestine)

In December 1918, while Palestine was still under control of a British military administration, a Proclamation for the protection of antiquities was issued.

[3] The Ordinance was designed to follow principles outlined in the abortive Treaty of Sèvres, which were later included as Article 21 in the Mandate for Palestine.

[4][5] The department included subdivisions for inspectors, a records office and library, a conservation laboratory, a photographic studio, and the museum.

[6] The department was located in a building called "Way House", north of the Old City of Jerusalem.

[6] The Palestinian Department of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage has conducted work in the West Bank since 1994.