Archaeologists in Gaza have made a significant discovery of dozens of ancient graves, including two sarcophagi made of lead, in a cemetery dating back approximately 2,000 years to the Roman Empire. This site is described as the largest cemetery ever found in Gaza.

The discovery was made in 2022 during the construction of a housing project funded by Egypt near Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip. Since its discovery, teams have been working to excavate the 2,700-square-meter site, with support from French experts.

Gaza, with a rich history due to its location on ancient trade routes between Egypt and the Levant, has seen many of its archaeological treasures endangered by factors such as Israeli occupation, Hamas’ control, and rapid urban growth.

Initially, 60 graves were found at the site in January, a significant discovery in itself. This number has now increased to 135. Researchers have already studied over 100 of these graves, which have provided valuable insights into the culture, health, and pathologies of the population at that time.

Notably, the lead sarcophagi found on-site, one adorned with grape leaves and the other featuring images of dolphins, are considered exceptional finds and a first for Gaza. Palestinian archaeologists believe that these sarcophagi may contain the remains of social elites.

The team led by French archaeologist Rene Elter is also restoring skeletons and piecing together fragments of clay jars. The skeletons discovered at the site will be sent out of Gaza for further analysis, with plans for them to return to the Hamas-led Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism.

Highlighting the significance of Gaza’s archaeological sites, Rene Elter stressed the need for a dedicated team to oversee and protect them, given the rapid pace of development in the area.

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