Birzeit's Department of Archaeology, established in 1977, evolved into the Palestinian Institute of Archaeology (PIA) in 1987 to become the first Institute of its kind in Palestine. PIA aims to promote archaeology as a scientific endeavor by applying innovative methods and advanced research techniques to the analysis of archaeological remains. Towards this end, the Institute offers an integrated Bachelors program to train students in theoretical as well as practical components of the discipline. PIA is planning to initiate an MA program during the academic year 2001/2002. The Institute also conducts excavations and surveys at various sites throughout the West Bank and has developed a substantial reference section and library serving as a resource center accessible to individuals and institutions within and outside of Birzeit University.

The publication of the primary material uncovered in excavations conducted by Palestinian institutions is vital to the development of a Palestinian archaeological tradition. PIA's publication program is essential to the establishment of an archaeological corpus. Accordingly, in 1995 the PIA developed a detailed publication plan for its excavations and surveys. The first of the scheduled publications appeared in 1996 and the second in 1998 with an additional two volumes currently in press. As an essential step towards promoting further academic, theoretic and practical discussion on Palestinian archaeology, PIA has published the first volume, January 2000, of the Journal of Palestinian Archaeology, a biannual periodical.

PIA possesses a wide variety of collections from its own excavations, and other acquisitions, including a unique collection of traditional Palestinian pottery. This collection comprises vessels produced and used by Palestinians in their daily life. The well-documented collection amounts to about 250 pieces from different potter workshops in the West Bank. The archaeological collection contains pottery vessels, figurines, scarabs and other items, including a number of exceptional and rare pieces. In view of these collections and in a step towards founding an archaeological museum connected with the Institute, in 1998 PIA established a permanent showroom in which archaeological and ethnographic artifacts are being exhibited.