Four 2,000-year-old tombs discovered in the Gaza Strip world

Four Roman cemeteries dating back two thousand years were discovered in the northern Gaza Strip, an archaeologist confirmed to Agence France-Presse on Saturday (23), allowing the reconstruction of the first complete Roman cemetery in these Palestinian territories.

Fadel Al-Oul said: “With the discovery of these four tombs, the total number of tombs in this Roman cemetery – which dates back to the period between the first century BC and the second century AD – rises to 134.”

According to the Palestinian archaeologist, it is “the first complete Roman cemetery” to be discovered in Gaza.

Ceramic fragments and metal pieces used in funerary rituals were also found.

The cemetery includes tombs with a pyramidal structure. Inside, a team of technicians working with the archaeologist carry out restoration operations using rudimentary tools.

“Two lead coffins, one decorated with bunches of grapes and the other with swimming dolphins, were discovered at the site recently,” Fadel says.

The excavation and restoration work is funded by the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund.

The Gaza Strip is bordered by Israel and Egypt. The Strip, which is controlled by the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas, has been subject to an Israeli siege for more than 15 years.