Archaeologists excavate a 2,000-year-old Roman cemetery found in Gaza

The historical site, containing around 60 graves, was discovered by builders working on a housing project in February in the northern part of the city. The site is close to the ancient Greek town of Anthedon. Historians heralded it as the most important find of the last ten years.

French experts working with the country's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities had sealed the site to the public and media. However, it was opened again on December 8 as they now begin the painstaking work of unearthing the ancient artifacts.

The Director General of Antiquities, Dr. Jamal Abu Raida, said that the project aims to explore the cultural manifestations of the Roman era.

The video features an interview with Fadl Al-Atoul, head of the excavation team and Antiquities restoration and maintenance technician,

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: Gaza- 13 December 2022. Palestinian workers excavate a recently-discovered Roman cemetery containing ornately decorated graves in the northwest of Gaza City.

0.1 SOUNDBITE (in Arabic) Antiquities restoration and maintenance technician, head of the excavation team, Fadl Al-Atoul

STORYLINE:

The Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism in the Gaza Strip announced the discovery of a Roman-era cemetery consisting of more than 60 tombs in the north of Gaza Strip

An excavation project was underway for the cemetery dating back to the 2nd to 4th century

The 2,000-year-old burial site is the "first complete Roman-era cemetery found in Gaza," hails Fadl Al-Atoul, head of the excavation team.

Footage by APAwire