Archaeologists have today started excavating a 2000-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 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.He said the site is of 'great importance' and is an 'extension of the site of the ancient city of Anthedon during the Greek and Roman period'.The official added: 'The cemetery contains more than 60 collective and individual archaeological graves, dating back to the second and fourth centuries AD, and a number of archaeological finds have been discovered, including pottery jars, glass vessels, and many other archaeological finds, and it is possible to discover more.'Jamal Abu Rida said that the shape of the graves and the relatively ornate decorations show they likely belonged to 'senior ranking people' in the Roman empire, which came from Italy.The Roman graves at the site in Gaza lie east to west unlike the Muslim graves from later periods that face north to south, he said.Jamal Abu Rida added: 'The Roman cemetery provides us with historical information and details about funeral practices and information that supports the ancient and anthropological history of Gaza, as well as learning about lifestyles and historical and economic relations in Gaza during the ancient Roman period, and its relationship to its ancient regional environment.'
