https://phys.org/news/2022-09-extremely-rare-rameses-ii-era-burial.html Phys.org Topics * Week's top * Latest news * Unread news * Subscribe [ ] Science X Account [ ] [ ] [*] Remember me Sign In Click here to sign in with or Forget Password? Not a member? Sign up Learn more * Nanotechnology * Physics * Earth * Astronomy & Space * Chemistry * Biology * Other Sciences * Medical Xpress Medicine * Tech Xplore Technology * * share this! * 406 * 68 * Share * Email 1. Home 2. Other Sciences 3. Archaeology * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- September 19, 2022 'Extremely rare' Rameses II-era burial cave found in Israel The cave was uncovered on a beach when a mechanical digger hit its roof, with archaeologists using a ladder to descend into the The cave was uncovered on a beach when a mechanical digger hit its roof, with archaeologists using a ladder to descend into the spacious, man-made square cave. Israeli archaeologists on Sunday announced the "once-in-a-lifetime" discovery of a burial cave from the time of ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Rameses II, filled with dozens of pottery pieces and bronze artifacts. The cave was uncovered on a beach Tuesday, when a mechanical digger working at the Palmahim national park hit its roof, with archaeologists using a ladder to descend into the spacious, man-made square cave. In a video released by the Israel Antiquities Authority, gobsmacked archaeologists shine flashlights on dozens of pottery vessels in a variety of forms and sizes, dating back to the reign of the ancient Egyptian king who died in 1213 BC. Bowls--some of them painted red, some containing bones--chalices, cooking pots, storage jars, lamps and bronze arrowheads or spearheads could be seen in the cave. The objects were burial offerings to accompany the deceased on their last journey to the afterlife, found untouched since being placed there about 3,300 years ago. At least one relatively intact skeleton was also found in two rectangular plots in the corner of the cave. "The cave may furnish a complete picture of the Late Bronze Age funerary customs," said Eli Yannai, an IAA Bronze Age expert. It is an "extremely rare... once-in-a-lifetime discovery", Yannai said, pointing to the extra fortune of the cave having remained sealed until its recent uncovering. At least one relatively intact skeleton was also found in two rectangular plots in the corner of the cave At least one relatively intact skeleton was also found in two rectangular plots in the corner of the cave. 'Like an Indiana Jones movie' The findings date to the reign of Rameses II, who controlled Canaan, a territory that roughly encompassed modern day Israel and the Palestinian territories. The provenance of the pottery vessels--Cyprus, Lebanon, northern Syria, Gaza and Jaffa--is testimony to the "lively trading activity that took place along the coast", Yannai said in an IAA statement. Another IAA archaeologist, David Gelman, theorized as to the identity of the skeletons in the cave, located in what is today a popular beach in central Israel. "The fact that these people were buried along with weapons, including entire arrows, shows that these people might have been warriors, perhaps they were guards on ships--which may have been the reason they were able to obtain vessels from all around the area," he said. Regardless of who the inhabitants of the cave were, the find was "incredible," said Gelman. The cave has been resealed and is under guard while a plan for its excavation is being formulated The cave has been resealed and is under guard while a plan for its excavation is being formulated. "Burial caves are rare as it is, and finding one that hasn't been touched since it was first used 3,300 years ago is something you rarely ever find," he said. "It feels like something out of an Indiana Jones movie: just going into the ground and everything is just laying there as it was initially -- intact pottery vessels, weapons, vessels made out of bronze, burials just as they were." The cave has been resealed and is under guard while a plan for its excavation is being formulated, the IAA said. It noted that "a few items" had been looted from it in the short period of time between its discovery and closure. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Explore further Mexican government says train poses no threat to skeleton --------------------------------------------------------------------- (c) 2022 AFP Citation: 'Extremely rare' Rameses II-era burial cave found in Israel (2022, September 19) retrieved 20 September 2022 from https:// phys.org/news/2022-09-extremely-rare-rameses-ii-era-burial.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. 478 shares * Facebook * Twitter * Email Feedback to editors * Featured * Last Comments * Popular Parts of many coastal cities are sinking faster than the sea is rising 8 hours ago 3 How the Australian ant-slayer spider captures ants 8 hours ago 0 Center of the Coma cluster explored with AstroSat 9 hours ago 0 Using AI to identify genomic tradeoffs between types of mutations Sep 19, 2022 0 Picotesla magnetometry of microwave fields with diamond sensors Sep 19, 2022 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- [gif] Researchers identify a variety of chimpanzee stone tools for cracking different nut species 2 minutes ago [gif] Fundamental research improves understanding of new optical materials 2 hours ago [gif] Did life get its start in micaceous clay? 2 hours ago [gif] Fish can help in the search for multiple sclerosis drugs 3 hours ago [gif] From the atom to natural killer cell: The story of an unexpected protein structure 4 hours ago [gif] Statistical analysis aims to solve Greek volcano mystery 4 hours ago [gif] Drumming in woodpeckers is neurologically similar to singing in songbirds 5 hours ago --------------------------------------------------------------------- Relevant PhysicsForums posts Doubts about Franck-Condon principle Aug 11, 2022 Can I move a macro object at a very small distance (around 10 nm)? Aug 11, 2022 Best Music Ever Aug 11, 2022 Wordle (NYT) Aug 11, 2022 When and why does an electron emit a photon? Aug 11, 2022 Regarding when to consider both laminar and turbulent flow Aug 11, 2022 More from Physics Forums | Science Articles, Homework Help, Discussion --------------------------------------------------------------------- * Related Stories [gif] Mexican government says train poses no threat to skeleton Sep 16, 2022 [gif] Ancient skeleton found in Mexico cave threatened by train Sep 13, 2022 [gif] Israel acquires rare ancient papyrus with Hebrew inscription Sep 07, 2022 [gif] Archaeologists find 12th Dead Sea Scrolls cave Feb 08, 2017 [gif] Mammoth Cave: Coke bottles, ticket stubs, pre-historic debris discovered in world's longest-known cave system Jul 11, 2022 [gif] Famous rock art cave in Spain was used by ancient humans for more than 50,000 years Jun 01, 2022 * Recommended for you [gif] Statistical analysis aims to solve Greek volcano mystery 4 hours ago [gif] Israeli researchers find opium residue in 3,500-year-old pottery 8 hours ago [gif] Beads show European trade in African interior used Indigenous routes Sep 16, 2022 [gif] What ancient dung reveals about Epipaleolithic animal tending Sep 14, 2022 [gif] Scientific 'detective work' with South American mummies reveals they were brutally murdered Sep 09, 2022 [gif] Exploring an ancestral Maya neighborhood Sep 09, 2022 Load comments (0) Let us know if there is a problem with our content Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request [-- please select one -- ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message to the editors [ ] Your email (only if you want to be contacted back) [ ] Send Feedback Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages. E-mail the story 'Extremely rare' Rameses II-era burial cave found in Israel Your friend's email [ ] Your email [ ] [ ] I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Learn more Your name [ ] Note Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message [ ] Send Newsletter sign up Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. [ ] Subscribe More information Privacy policy Medical Xpress Medical Xpress Medical research advances and health news Tech Xplore Tech Xplore The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances Science X Science X The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web Newsletters [ ] Subscribe Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox Follow us * * * * * Top * Home * Search * Mobile version * Help * FAQ * About * Contact * Science X Account * Sponsored Account * Archive * News wire * Android app * iOS app * RSS feeds * Push notification (c) Phys.org 2003 - 2022 powered by Science X Network Privacy policy Terms of use Your Privacy This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Ok Cookie options E-mail newsletter [ ] Subscribe Follow us * * * * It appears that you are currently using Ad Blocking software. What are the consequences? x Quantcast