Archaeological discovery in Gaza dating back eight centuries

Local workers digging in the centre of Gaza’s old city have found archaeological remains of a house which specialists believe was built eight centuries ago.

During renovations to a street in the Al Darg neighbourhood of the old city, machines used by workers crashed into the walls of the archaeological house, which according to Gaza’s Ministry of Tourism and Archaeology was built during the Mamluki or Ottomani era.

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In a statement to Quds Press on Tuesday [22/06], the Ministry said that specialist staff had begun a thorough examination and survey of the site which is thought to be either a two bedroom apartment or graves.

The remains of the house were buried no more than two metres under the street being renovated. According to reports, the remnants of a room may be seen and its roof consists of several arches inscribed with multiple bright motifs. The Minister said that following the discovery of this new site, a committee of engineers and specialists were sent to conduct the necessary inspections.

In January earlier this year, Gaza’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery of artefacts in the town of Rafah in southern Gaza which included 1,300 pieces of large and small silver coins dating back to 300 BC.