Construction workers digging in an area near Jerusalem's Ammunition Hill during infrastructure work made an interesting discovery Thursday after finding human remains and personal items at the site, apparently belonging to a Jordanian soldier who fought Israeli forces during the 1967 Six-Day War.
Among the artifacts dug up were a helmet, a gas mask, ammunition, a pocket watch, a rusted knife and a ring, all likely belonging to the fallen Jordanian soldier who took part in the fierce fighting in the area on June 6, 1967, the second day of the war.
Thirty-six Israeli soldiers and 71 Jordanian soldiers were killed in the Battle of Ammunition Hill — an engagement that has long served as a symbol of Israeli heroism. The Paratroopers’ Brigade still issues red berets there to its combat troops.
Upon making the discovery, construction workers at the site called the police to the scene along with a team of forensic investigators who have yet to determine whom the findings belong to.
According to information obtained by Ynet, there are several other interesting come ups that were found in Ammunition Hill and have not yet been made public.
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Manager of the Ammunition Hill Heritage Site Katri Maoz poses with artifacts dug up from the ground during construction work there
Katri Maoz, manager of the Ammunition Hill Heritage Site, shared the findings to Facebook.
"The excitement is picking up. It is clear to me that we are touching history here and who knows if this is not the last time. As someone who knows the hill well and from up close, I know that more stories are waiting for us right there," Maoz wrote.
"The earth has covered everything at once and we discover more tap after tap and feel that we are just at the beginning of the road. Ammunition Hill is a unique and amazing place that has many more surprises in store."
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Bazooka shell dug up from the ground during construction work on Ammunition Hill
(Photo: Israel Police)
This is not the only discovery found at the iconic Jerusalem site recently. In early August, construction workers there came upon two Bazooka shells, apparently also left behind by the Jordanian army during its 1967 campaign with Israel.
Jerusalem District police sappers were called to the scene, and carefully removed the two shells, which were manufactured in December 1956, according to the inscription on them.
The explosive projectiles were transferred to a designated area where they were destroyed in a controlled detonation.