Largest cemetery ever discovered in Gaza and rare lead sarcophogi found
Archaeologists say they have discovered dozens of ancient graves including two rare sarcophagi made of lead in an ancient cemetery in the Gaza Strip GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Palestinian workers in the Gaza Strip have found dozens of ancient graves, including two sarcophagi made of lead, in a Roman-era cemetery — a site dating back some 2,000 years that archaeologists describe as the largest cemetery discovered in Gaza. Workers came upon the site last year during the construction of an Egyptian-funded housing project near Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip. Since then, crews have worked to excavate the 2,700-square-meter (2/3 acre) site with the support of French experts. Now, what was once an inconspicuous construction lot — surrounded by a grove of nondescript apartment buildings — has become a gold mine for archaeologists looking to understand more about the Gaza Strip. Gaza, a coastal enclave home to some 2.3 million people, has a rich history stemming from its location on anc...