Shmarya Guttman (; 1909–1996) was an Israeli archaeologist.
Early years
Shmarya Guttman was born in
Glasgow,
Scotland. His parents were Russian immigrants. The family
aliyah to Palestine when he was three. At the age of 17, he moved to Kibbutz Na'an, where he worked as a farmer.
Career
In the 1930s, he served as an emissary to Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. Before the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, he headed an intelligence unit of the
Haganah. Later he was involved in diplomatic negotiations and took part in operations to bring Iraqi Jews to Israel.
Archaeology career
In the 1960s and 1970s, Guttman was on the team that excavated
Masada,
which he had climbed with two friends in 1932.
[ Articles about Masada]
Guttman initiated and directed the excavations at Gamla.
