Gaza Strip \u2014 Over the past two years, Palestinian workers in the Gaza Strip have discovered 134 ancient Roman era-graves. The most recent discoveries came in September of this year as dozens more graves were found, with a number of them displaying very unique and special characteristics.<\/p>\n
Located in the town of Jabalia, north of Gaza City, the cemetery site is the largest ever discovered in Gaza and estimated to be about 2,000 years old. The site was initially discovered last year during the construction of an Egyptian-financed housing project<\/a>. Since then, excavations of the 2,700 sq. meter site have been ongoing with the support of French experts.<\/p>\n Archeologists estimate that the historic Roman cemetery dates back to between the first century BC and the second century AD. It\u2019s also believed to be the first complete ancient cemetery discovered in Gaza.<\/p>\n The vacant plot of land, originally designated for construction, has turned into something of a gold mine for archaeologists looking to understand more about the Gaza Strip. For example, back in January, Unicorn Riot reported<\/a> on the discovery of ancient antiques in Gaza dating back some 4,500 years ago.<\/p>\n Archeologist Fadel Al-Otol said that the recent tomb discovery was of immense importance since it shows that \u201cresidents of Gaza City have been present here since Roman times.\u201d<\/strong> He further revealed that the total number of graves discovered in the cemetery has now reached \u201c134 so far,\u201d<\/strong> the most prominent of which are two coffins made of lead.<\/p>\n One of these lead coffins was engraved with the shape of grape harvests, and the other had engravings of dolphins swimming in the water. Some of the graves were built in a pyramidal shape, and parts of pottery vessels and metal pieces used in funerary rituals were also found.<\/p>\n A number of technicians within the excavation and antiquities team are continuing the restoration and study work inside the cemetery, using primitive tools during excavation, underground digging, cleaning, and maintenance work.<\/p>\n While the recent discoveries represent yet another historic milestone, efforts to continue the excavation and preservation of Gaza\u2019s cultural heritage are not without significant challenges. Gaza Strip\u2019s 2.4 million inhabitants continue to live in a tightly confined, poverty-stricken area that is subjected to constant Israeli surveillance, military raids and a highly restrictive blockade. <\/p>\n Antique smuggling is also a major problem, as the profits made from selling Gaza\u2019s artifacts is often too great to ignore \u2014 especially considering its economic hardships. As summarized by Al-Otol \u201c[there is] insufficient financial support to fully excavate the history of Gaza due to the density of the population<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite this, Al-Otol and his small team \u2014 with much needed assistance from international partners \u2014 continue on their mission to properly secure Gaza\u2019s rich cultural legacy.<\/p>\n \nFollow us on X (aka Twitter)<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Vimeo<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Mastodon<\/a>, Threads<\/a>, BlueSky<\/a> and Patreon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Repurposed Rubber: Tire Recycling in the Gaza Strip – August 25, 2023<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n The post Ancient Roman Graves Discovered in Gaza<\/a> appeared first on UNICORN RIOT<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Gaza Strip \u2014 Over the past two years, Palestinian workers in the Gaza Strip have…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":12801,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1973],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-from-unicorn-riot"],"yoast_head":"\nUnicorn Riot’s Coverage from Palestine<\/strong>:<\/h5>\n
\n Bombed Houses in Gaza Transformed by Palestinian Calligraphy Artist – August 14, 2023<\/a>
\n Gazans Flock to Beaches Amid Record Breaking Heatwave – August 4, 2023<\/a>
\n 17 Palestinians Killed During Massive Israeli Raids on Jenin – July 7, 2023<\/a>
\n 1 Israeli Operation in Gaza Destroyed 243 Homes, Killing 34 Palestinians – June 30, 2023<\/a>
\n Israel Blows Up Home of Palestinian Prisoner\u2019s Family – June 13, 2023<\/a>
\n Palestinian Khader Adnan Dies on Hunger Strike in Israeli Prison – May 27, 2023<\/a>
\n Christian Gives Water, Dates to Fasting Muslims in Gaza During Ramadan – April 19, 2023<\/a>
\n \u2018Colorful Neighborhood\u2019 in Gaza Celebrates Ramadan with Vibrant Colors – April 16, 2023<\/a>
\n Administrative Detention and \u2018Medical Neglect\u2019 in Israeli Prisons Lead to Deaths and Protests – March 29, 2023<\/a>
\n Israeli Forces Kill 11 Palestinians and Shoot Over 100 During Raid on Nablus – March 2, 2023<\/a>
\n Families in Gaza Live Among the Dead – February 10, 2023<\/a>
\n Elderly Woman Among at Least 9 Palestinians Killed During Raid on Jenin – January 26, 2023<\/a>
\n Ancient Antiquities Discovered in Palestine\u2019s Gaza Strip – January 23, 2023<\/a>
\n Surfing Santas in Gaza Welcome a New Year of \u2018Prosperity and Happiness\u2019 – January 4, 2023<\/a>
\n Palestinian Lands Seized for Israeli Military and Colony Settlements – December 14, 2022<\/a>
\n Gaza Flooded Due to Old Infrastructure From Israeli Blockade and Bombings – November 22, 2022<\/a>
\n Nablus Siege Lifted After 3+ Weeks of Collective Punishment – November 10, 2022<\/a>
\n Attacks and Collective Punishment, a Cycle of Palestinian-Israeli Conflict – October 18, 2022<\/a>
\n Murals of Eyes in Silwan Remind Jerusalem of Palestinian Struggle – October 1, 2022<\/a>
\n Protests in Besieged Palestinian Village Nabi Samuel Suppressed – September 25, 2022<\/a>
\n Over 2,200 Israeli Raids Killed 140 Palestinians Thus Far in 2022 – September 13, 2022<\/a>
\n Sand Sculpture on Shore of Gaza Sea Tributes Children Killed by Israeli Forces – August 31, 2022<\/a>
\n Clowns Visit Children in Gaza Amidst Rubble of Destroyed Houses – August 12, 2022<\/a>
\n Operation Breaking Dawn: Israel Kills 44 Palestinians Over Three Days – August 9, 2022<\/a>
\n Occupation Forces Repress Palestinians Fighting Land Grabs in the Northwestern West Bank – June 29, 2022<\/a>
\n Israeli Raid on Nablus Kills Two Palestinians and Wounds Many – July 25, 2022<\/a>
\n Palestinians Speak Out During Biden\u2019s Visit – July 21, 2022<\/a>
\n Israeli Forces Suppress Protests After Court Green Lights Demolitions in Masafer Yatta – June 30, 2022<\/a>
\n Israeli Forces Raid Jenin, Kill Three Palestinians, Wound 10 – June 18, 2022<\/a>
\n Israeli Forces Assault Mourners of Young Man Dead After Israeli Attack on Al-Aqsa – June 16, 2022<\/a>
\n Israeli Settlers Celebrate Capturing Jerusalem, Police Arrest Palestinians – June 11, 2022<\/a>
\n Palestinian Investigation Finds Israel Responsible for Killing Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh – June 7, 2022<\/a>
\n Israel Kills 4 Palestinians in 48 Hours and Blows Up a Home – June 3, 2022<\/a>
\n Eyewitness Recounts Moments Israeli Forces Killed Shireen Abu Akleh – May 24, 2022<\/a>
\n Israeli Police Attack Funeral Procession of Palestinian-American Journalist – May 21, 2022<\/a>
\n Demonstrations in West Bank for Palestinian Prisoner\u2019s Day and Jenin Camp – May 17, 2022<\/a>
\n Israeli Army Kills Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh – May 11, 2022<\/a>
\n Israeli Forces Clear Al-Aqsa for Settlers\u2019 Tours – May 6, 2022<\/a>
\n Palestinians Killed While Resisting Israeli Forces in Silwad Led to More Protests – May 1, 2022<\/a>
\n Last Friday Prayer of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Draws 160K Despite Strict Measures by Israeli Forces – April 30, 2022<\/a>
\n Man Shot by Israeli Forces During Land Day Demonstration – April 27, 2022<\/a>
\n Musaharati Dressed as Clowns Wake Up Citizens in Gaza Strip for Meal Before Ramadan Fast – April 25, 2022<\/a>
\n Israeli Airstrikes Hit Gaza, Iron Dome Explodes Missiles – April 22, 2022<\/a>
\n Israeli Airstrikes Target Gaza – April 19, 2022<\/a>
\n Al-Aqsa Mosque Stormed: Israeli Police Detain 400, Injure 153 – April 15, 2022<\/a>
\n Israeli Raids on Jenin Refugee Camp Leave Many Dead, Dozens Shot – April 15, 2022<\/a>
\n Palestinian Protesters Fight Occupation on Mount Sabih, Nablus – April 15, 2022<\/a>
\n Interview: First Ukrainian Refugee Arrives in Gaza Strip – April 14, 2022<\/a>
\n Palestinians Commemorate Land Day with Demos in Negev & Gaza – April 12, 2022<\/a>
\n Israeli Forces Stifle Religious Freedoms During Ramadan – April 5, 2022<\/a>
\n Palestinians Prevented from Reaching Confiscated Lands in Qusra, Gassed by Occupation Forces – March 31, 2022<\/a>
\n Palestinians Protest Israeli Colony Outposts in Northern West Bank – March 22, 2022<\/a><\/p>\nPlease consider a tax-deductible donation to help sustain our horizontally-organized, non-profit media organization:<\/strong><\/h5>\n