Israel unveils remains of 5,000-year-old city
Israeli archaeologists unveiled the remains of a 5,000-year-old city they said was among the biggest from its era in the region, including fortifications, a ritual temple and a cemetery.
it is a major discovery in the region from the Bronze Age.
The archaeological site known as En Esur "is the largest site and the most important from that era" in the region
A ritual temple was found within the ancient city along with rare figurines with human and animal faces
It also included burnt animal bones in a stone basin that they called proof of sacrificial offerings.
The excavation allowed for an older settlement from some 7,000 years ago from the Chalcolithic period to be uncovered as well, though smaller than the other discovery.
Dina Shalem, another of the archaeologists, noted it included fortifications some 20 metres long and two metres high as well as a cemetery.
Around four million fragments were found at the site, including pieces of pottery, flint tools and vases of stone and basalt, said Elad.
Some of the tools came from Egypt
The excavations carried out over the course of two and a half years included the participation of 5,000 teenagers and volunteers.
The dig preceded the construction of a road in the area, a project whose plans were modified to preserve the site.
Israeli archaeologists unveiled the remains of a 5,000-year-old city they said was among the biggest from its era in the region, including fortifications, a ritual temple and a cemetery.
it is a major discovery in the region from the Bronze Age.
The archaeological site known as En Esur "is the largest site and the most important from that era" in the region
A ritual temple was found within the ancient city along with rare figurines with human and animal faces
It also included burnt animal bones in a stone basin that they called proof of sacrificial offerings.
The excavation allowed for an older settlement from some 7,000 years ago from the Chalcolithic period to be uncovered as well, though smaller than the other discovery.
Dina Shalem, another of the archaeologists, noted it included fortifications some 20 metres long and two metres high as well as a cemetery.
Around four million fragments were found at the site, including pieces of pottery, flint tools and vases of stone and basalt, said Elad.
Some of the tools came from Egypt
The excavations carried out over the course of two and a half years included the participation of 5,000 teenagers and volunteers.
The dig preceded the construction of a road in the area, a project whose plans were modified to preserve the site.