Burial ground unearthed in Gaza
Photo: AP
Heavy rain unearths ancient graves in backyard in Gaza
Tomb found in Gaza backyard containing nine burial holes with bones and some clay pots; archaeologists estimate site is 2,000 years old, dating back to Roman Empire; Palestinian accidentally found the site after heavy rainfall unearthed it.
Archeologists in Gaza believe an ancient burial ground uncovered Friday due to massive rainfall, which hit Israel as well as the strip, was about 2,000-year-old, dating back to the Roman era, when the territory was part of the far-flung Roman Empire. But they say further tests are needed to determine the exact age.
Abdelkarim al-Kafarna, the Palestinian in whose home the burial ground was found, said he found a tomb consisting of nine burial holes with bones and some clay pots.
The burial ground unearthed by rainfall was estimated to be 2,000 years old (Photo: AP)
Al-Kafarna said he found it by accident after heavy rains this week unearthed parts of the underground chamber.
A Palestinian named al-Kafarna found the site by accident in his backyard (Photo: AP)
The Gaza Strip has been occupied for thousands of years by military forces seeking to cross from the northern part of the Middle East to its southern portions. The strip also connects the Sinai Peninsula and Egypt with modern day Israel, through which Syria and Mesopotamia can be reached.
(Photo: AP)
It is precisely for this reason that several important military conflicts were waged in Gaza throughout history, and it has changed hands on numerous occasions.
In 200 BC, for instance, Gaza was conquered by Seleucid King Antiochus III the Great. In the latter portion of the first century BC, meanwhile, it was taken over by Hasmonean King Alexander Jannaeus. Gaza was then overtaken by the Roman Empire and later changed into the hands of the Byzantine Empire.
