Archaeologists Surprised To Discover Ancient Horse Skeletons In Jaffa

[Viggen]

Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists conducting a salvage dig in the Armenian monastery in Jaffa expected to find artifacts connected to the ancient fortifications of the city. However, a few days ago they were surprised to discover, some 60 centimeters below the monastery floor, no fewer than 10 horse skeletons.

 

Excavation directors Amit Re'em and Martin Peilstoker said yesterday the horses may have died in battle, and if so, it occurred long before the 17th century, when the monastery was constructed. It was possible, the archaeologists said, that the horses were buried as early as the Hellenistic period, about 2,200 years ago, or in the Early Arab period, 1,500 years ago. The archaeologists assume the horses were buried outside the city wall because of the stench of them decaying.

 

full article at Haaretz

[FLavius Valerius Constantinus]

Wow, the Israelis are really good.

Edited November 28, 2005 by FLavius Valerius Constantinus

[Guest Moonstar]

I dug there yesterday... they've uncovered somewhere around 13 to 16 skulls (one is a donkey). Many of the skeletons are partially articulated, but it's basically a mass-grave. They're still not sure what it is and since it's a salvage project, there's not much time to dig it all up.

 

-Webmaster

moonstart.com/dig

[Pantagathus]

I dug there yesterday... they've uncovered somewhere around 13 to 16 skulls (one is a donkey). Many of the skeletons are partially articulated, but it's basically a mass-grave. They're still not sure what it is and since it's a salvage project, there's not much time to dig it all up.

 

-Webmaster

moonstart.com/dig

 

Thanks for the first hand update Moonstar!

 

I do hope you stick around.