Ancient Tomb Uncovered in Gaza During Digging for Housing Project

A tomb from the Roman-era was unearthed in the Gaza Strip during digging for a housing project. The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Archaeology made the announcement of the discovery on Monday, though The Associated Press reported that archeological artifacts appeared during digging for the Egyptian-funded housing at least a week ago. Among the artifacts uncovered are casket covers and inscribed bricks, local residents told the AP, which cited local media reports as saying that Gazans have looted many artifacts from the site in northwest Gaza City. Construction reportedly has been halted. The AP cited an unnamed independent archaeologist briefed on the discovery who said that photos of the site suggest that it was home to a late-Roman or early-Byzantine-era cemetery, making it about 1,600 years old. Meanwhile, the remains of a Byzantine church discovered near Gaza City in 1997, including intact floor mosaics that date to the fifth century CE, reopened to visitors this week after a three-year restoration project funded and carried out by the French organization Premiere Urgence Internationale.