Israeli archaeological authorities on Sunday announced the discovery of a “unique” burial chamber dating to the time of Pharaoh Ramses II and filled with dozens of pottery, bronze objects and bones.
The vault was accidentally discovered on September 13 in Palmahim National Park south of metropolitan Tel Aviv when an excavation machine stumbled on a piece of rock that turned out to be the roof of this vault.
A video released by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) shows amazed archaeologists unveiling dozens of ceramic pieces of various shapes and sizes from the reign of the ancient Egyptian king, who died in 1213 BC. died.
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Bowls – some painted red, others with bones – chalices, saucepans, jars, lamps and bronze arrowheads or spearheads were found at the burial. These items were burial objects intended to accompany the deceased on their final journey to the afterlife. They have been found intact since being placed there some 3300 years ago.
An almost intact skeleton was found
“This vault may give us a more complete picture of Late Bronze Age burial rites,” Eli Yannai, an IAA specialist on the period, said in a statement, referring to an “extremely rare” find. “When I saw the objects in the cave on Palmahim Beach, my eyes immediately lit up, such a discovery happens only once in a lifetime. And it’s incredible to find intact objects that have never been touched since they were first used,” enthused David Gelman, archaeologist at the IAA.
They date from the time of Ramses II, who lived between 1279 and 1213 BC. ruled over Egypt and also controlled Canaan, an area that, according to the Antiquities Authority, included the equivalent of modern Israel, the Palestinian territories, and parts of Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.
The pottery’s provenance — Cyprus, Lebanon, northern Syria, Gaza and Jaffa — testifies to “the intense commercial activity that has taken place along the coast,” Eli Yannai said in a statement. David Gelman has speculated on the identity of the skeletons found in this vault on what is now a popular beach.
“The fact that these people were buried with weapons, including whole arrows, shows that they may have been warriors or sentries on ships.” The vault was sealed and sentries posted around it while awaiting another excavation plan on this one Place where in the short time of last week “some objects” have already been looted, ranging from discovery to closure of the site, the IAA said.
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