Researchers
make 'first discovery' of Philistine cemetery
Researchers in Israel have made what they say is the
first discovery of a Philistine cemetery.
The discovery,
made in 2013 and finally revealed on Sunday, may yield answers to an enduring
mystery surrounding the origins of the Philistines.
It comes at the
end of a 30-year excavation by the Leon Levy Expedition.
Expedition leaders
say they discovered 145 sets of remains in several burial rooms, some
surrounded by perfume, food, jewellery and weapons.
The remains date
to between the 11th and the 8th centuries BC.
"After
decades of studying what Philistines left behind, we have finally come face to
face with the people," said Daniel M Master, one of the leaders of the
excavation.
"With this
discovery we are close to unlocking the secrets of their origins."
The discovery was
kept secret for three years, until the end of the dig, to avoid drawing the
attention of ultra-orthodox Jewish protesters, who had previously demonstrated
at excavations.
The protesters
took issues with the archaeologists disturbing burial sites.
"We had to
bite our tongues for a long time," Mr Master said.
Scholars of the
period differ as to the geographical origins of the Philistines, with mainland
Greece, the islands of Crete or Cyprus, and Anatolia in modern-day Turkey considered.
The expedition
team is now performing DNA, radiocarbon and other tests on the remains in an
attempt to pinpoint their provenance.
Most of the bodies
were not buried with personal items, the expedition leaders said, but next to
some were perfume jugs, storage jars and small bowls.
A few individuals
were buried with bracelets and earrings and some with weapons.
"This is how
Philistines treated their dead, and it's the code book to decoding
everything," said archaeologist Adam Aja, a participant in the dig.
The Philistines
appear in the Bible as the archenemy of the ancient Israelites. They are
thought to have migrated to ancient Israel from lands to the West around the
12th century BC.
The best known
Philistine now is Goliath, the giant warrior who, according to the Bible, was
defeated by the young David before he became king.
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Title : First Discovery Of Philistine Cemetery
Description : Researchers make 'first discovery' of Philistine cemetery Researchers in Israel have made what they say is the firs...
