Palestinian workers in the Gaza Strip have discovered dozens of ancient tombs, including two lead sarcophagi, in a Roman cemetery. The cemetery dates back about 2,000 years and archaeologists describe it as the largest cemetery discovered in Gaza.
The workers encountered the site last year while building an Egyptian-financed housing project near Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip. Since then, workers have been excavating the 2,700 square meter (2/3 acre) site with the help of French experts.
Surrounded by a forest of nondescript apartment buildings, the once unremarkable construction site is now a treasure trove for archaeologists seeking to understand more about the Gaza Strip.
A coastal enclave of approximately 2.3 million people, Gaza has a rich history stemming from its location on an ancient trade route between Egypt and the Levant. But a combination of factors, including the Israeli occupation, Hamas’ 16-year takeover of the territory, and rapid urban growth, has put many of the besieged area’s archaeological treasures at risk.
Against this backdrop, archaeologists say the discovery of 60 tombs at the site in January was an important discovery. The number has grown to 135 companies.
French archaeologist René Elter, who led the excavation, said researchers had examined more than 100 graves.
“Almost all of these tombs have already been excavated, which has revealed a huge amount of information not only about cultural material, but also about the health status of the population and the pathologies that this population may have suffered from.” Secretary Elter said. Archeology of the program “Intiqal” managed by the French non-profit organization Première Agence International.
Elter pointed to the lead sarcophagi, one featuring ornate grape leaves and another with a dolphin image, as exceptional finds.
“The discovery of a lead sarcophagus here is a first for Gaza,” he said.
Given the rarity of lead graves, Palestinian archaeologists like Fadel al-Otlu suspect that social elites were buried there. Al-Otur said the cemetery may have once been located in a city, and that the Romans placed cemeteries near city centers.
Alongside the sarcophagus, Elter’s team is also restoring the excavated skeleton and piecing together the fragments of the clay jar.
Human bones found at the site will be sent outside Gaza for further analysis, al-Otur said. The remains will be returned to the Hamas-led Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism.
Elter said the Gaza Strip needs a specialized team to oversee archaeological activities.
“Gazanians deserve to tell their story,” he said. “Gaza has a large number of potential archaeological sites, but monitoring each one is not an easy task given the rapid pace of development.”
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