Researchers make 'first discovery' of Philistine cemetery

Blackleaf

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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.

Researchers make 'first discovery' of Philistine cemetery


BBC News
10 July 2016


The discovery closed a 30-year dig by the Leon Levy Expedition

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.


Among the team leaders was archaeology professor Lawrence E. Stager

"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.


The remains are now undergoing various tests

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.


Some of the dead were buried with clay pots and other personal effects

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.


Researchers make 'first discovery' of Philistine cemetery - BBC News
 

Danbones

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the jebusits were canaanites who there first they built jeruselem
they are the modern palistinians

"During several centuries before the time of David it was known as the place of the “Jebusites,” hence as “Jebus.” It was a case of the “Jebusites” giving their place of abode their name, rather than the place giving its name to its people. “Jebusites” remained in “Jebus” until David conquered the city, made it his capital, and restored its name to Jerusalem.
https://www.biblicaltraining.org/library/jebusites

the Jebusites it looks like were there 7000 years ago
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/archaeology/.premium-1.703852
loooong before David may have shown up there

salem is a word derived from a Jebusite diety
just like the AN in angels is from a sumerian diety
 
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lone wolf

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In the bush near Sudbury

Danbones

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SORRY LW
i miss read your THEY as referring to Jews
my bad
so I edited