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Last update - 18:42 29/08/2007 Israeli archeologists warn Muslim dig could harm Temple Mount artifacts By Reuters Tags: archeology, Temple Mount  Israeli archeologists said Wednesday they fear priceless relics could be damaged by a mechanical digger being used by Muslim caretakers to carve out a utility trench at the Temple Mount. The work is being carried out on the plaza revered by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and by Jews as the Temple Mount. "It is appalling that in one of the most important archaeological sites in the country, heavy machinery is used in a barbaric way to dig a ditch 120 meters long and 1.5 meters deep," said Gabriel Barkay, an archeologist at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv. Advertisement He and other members of the Israeli-based Committee Against the Destruction of Antiquities on the Temple Mount, have criticized the Israel Antiquities Authority for allowing the Waqf, the Muslim caretakers of the site, to conduct the work. Dalit Menzin, a spokeswoman for the Antiquities Authority declined to comment. Sheikh Abdel al-Azeem Salhab, president of the Waqf Council, which is charged with day-to-day administration of the compound, denied the digging would cause any archaeological damage. The trench is being dug to replace decades-old electric wiring at the complex, which now houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock and was the site during biblical times of two Jewish Temples. The future of the compound is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "I assure you that the area where the electrical cables are being extended was excavated in the past and there is nothing of value in it that can be damaged or destroyed," Salhab said. Barkay said earth from the trench contained pottery shards dating to the Byzantine period. He cautioned that more relics still underground could be harmed. Christian, Muslim and Jewish heritage could "fall victim to this heinous act", Barkay said. In February, an Israeli dig intended to salvage ancient artifacts before construction of a new walkway leading to the holy complex sparked worldwide protests by Muslims who said they feared the two mosques would be damaged. The Jerusalem municipality denied any harm would come to the shrines but scrapped its original construction plan and ordered a committee to prepare new blueprints and hold public hearings on the project. More Jewish World news and features Bookmark to del.icio.us   Virtual victory TV series offers detailed reenactments of IAF's battles. Surviving the race Neither Clinton nor Romney can afford to lose in N.H.   1.   More stupidity 14:26  |  Murray of Montreal 29/08/07   2.   And how many non-Jews rise up here and elsewhere 14:49  |  Rami Rosenberg 29/08/07   3.   Kotel tunnel 15:04  |  Avi 29/08/07   4.   this has been going on for the greater part of a century 15:27  |  bob 29/08/07   5.   typical muslim double standards,and the world is getting sick of 15:47  |  terrornator 29/08/07   6.   sorry avi # 3,only muslims are stupid enough to over react 15:49  |  terrornator 29/08/07   7.   Murray of Montreal 15:54  |  Lynn 29/08/07   8.   The Muslim waqf is usually very respectful of the holy sites 15:56  |  lakshmi 29/08/07   9.   NOBEL LAUREATE ARAFAT SAID NO JEWS EXISTED 2000 YRS AGO 16:10  |  ATTA TYPPESH 29/08/07   10.   Where is Olmert & his "government?" 16:11  |  bat yam 29/08/07   11.   Permanent presense of the archeologists on the Temple Mount 16:16  |  Shlomo from Tel-Aviv 29/08/07   12.   Outrage & Shame 16:28  |  Henry 29/08/07   13.   Time to think about rules 16:33  |  Alicia 29/08/07   14.   Can´t the work be done under the supervision of archeologists? 16:42  |  Alicia 29/08/07   15.   Need for strict policy here 16:49  |  Peter 29/08/07   16.   Let`s Riot 17:00  |  Tex 29/08/07   17.   Why do the Muslims always get their way? 17:04  |  Jon 29/08/07   18.   Haaretz left out Wakf arrogance in their incomplete reporting 17:34  |  bernard ross 29/08/07   19.   Build the final "Fence" 17:36  |  The Barber 29/08/07   20.   re: Rami 17:52  |  Paulo 29/08/07   21.   #3 You are absolutely correct 17:56  |  Nehemiah 29/08/07   22.   Do NOT Allow This 18:05  |  Solon 29/08/07   23.   Murray, the stupidity is purely on your part 19:00  |  Jake 29/08/07   24.   Message to Reuter`s 19:23  |  rootlesscosmo 29/08/07   25.   not true at all ... 19:35  |  jon 29/08/07   26.   Where is UN? 19:35  |  Gene 29/08/07   27.   third party 19:40  |  democrat 29/08/07   28.   wanton distraction 20:38  |  Avraham 29/08/07   29.   "...`could` harm Temple Mount artifacts." 20:50  |  curious 29/08/07   30.   it likely won`t damange any artifacts, so why panic? 21:52  |  Richard S 29/08/07   31.   lynn 7 22:05  |  realism 29/08/07   32.   Temple Mount Dig 22:25  |  Warren 29/08/07   33.   Sadden by Muslims lack of consideration 22:49  |  Donna 29/08/07   34.   Destruction of the Dome of the Rock 00:00  |  S. Dailey 30/08/07   35.   There is only one proper way to proceed 01:07  |  Mark Lincoln 30/08/07   36.   Destroying Jewish history 02:01  |  Dan 30/08/07   37.   #34 02:06  |  Donna 30/08/07   38.   destruction 12:04  |  piotr 30/08/07   39.   Temple Destruction 16:47  |  Cynthia Mawn 30/08/07   40.   Where is Olmert & his "government?" 08:27  |  d park 03/09/07   41.   Good will among humans 23:05  |  Damaso 14/11/07   42.   Facts 02:07  |  Kirk 07/01/08

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