1 of 2 remains found in a grave at the site of a 2,000yearold Roman burial site discovered last year in the northern Gaza Strip on February 14, 2023. — Photo: Government Media Office/Handout via Portal Remains found in a tomb at the site of a 2,000yearold Roman burial site discovered last year in the northern Gaza Strip on February 14, 2023. —Photo: Government Media Office/Handout via Portal
A sarcophagus has been discovered in a 2,000yearold Romanera cemetery in the northern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Antiquities Ministry said on Tuesday. The coffin is made of lead and probably belonged to an important figure in society at the time.
Tareq AlAf, spokesman for the ministry, said in a statement that the sarcophagus has not yet been opened as local archaeologists await the arrival of scholars from other countries who specialize in analyzing such artifacts.
“In order to preserve it, the ministry cordoned off the area and took the sarcophagus to the antiquities depot to be identified with the participation of French specialists who are due to arrive,” AlAf said.
Clay pots and other items have also been found in the cemetery, pointing to Roman times around 2,000 years ago. Centuries ago, this area of Gaza served as a GrecoRoman seaport, according to AlAf.
So far, 90 individual and collective graves have been found on the site, which is being looked after by a French team of experts. The sarcophagus was discovered last year by construction workers working on an Egyptianfunded housing project.
2 of 2 A team of archaeological experts preserve a newly discovered Roman coffin in a wooden box at the site of a 2,000yearold Roman burial site in the northern Gaza Strip on February 14, 2023. — Photo: Government Media Office/ Handout via Portal A team of archaeological experts preserves a newly discovered Roman coffin in a wooden box at the site of a 2,000yearold Roman burial site in northern Gaza, February 14, 2023. — Photo: Government Media Office/ Handout via Portal