Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., June 03, 2008 Iyyar 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 16:40 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 03:38 01/06/2008 Islamic-era skeletons 'disappeared' from Elad-sponsored dig By Meron Rapoport Tags: archeology, Israel, Elad  Dozens of skeletons from the early Islamic period were discovered during excavations near the Temple Mount, on a site slated for construction by a right-wing Jewish organization. Contrary to regulations, the skeletons were removed, and were not reported to the Ministry of Religious Services. The Israel Antiquities Authority termed the incident "a serious mishap." The IAA's Dr. Doron Ben Ami is directing the excavations at the Givati Parking Lot in Jerusalem's Silwan neighborhood, across from the entrance to the Dung Gate. Elad, an association devoted to Judaizing East Jerusalem, is funding the dig at the site, where it plans to build an events hall with underground parking. The IAA is excavating there even though Elad never filed building plans with the planning authorities. In recent weeks, workers excavating at a depth of two to three meters reached a layer from the 8th or 9th century C.E., some 200 years after the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem. They discovered several dozen skeletons, skulls and bone fragments, thought to date from the early Islamic period. An IAA source said "dozens of crates" containing bone fragments were removed, which suggests at least 100 skeletons were found. Advertisement IAA regulations require that any graves discovered be reported immediately to the Religious Services Ministry and to Atra Kadisha, an ultra-Orthodox organization dedicated to preserving ancient Jewish grave sites. For some reason this discovery was not reported, and the skeletal remains were carted away before ministry officials arrived to inspect the site. The ministry learned of the discovery only two weeks later, following inquiries by Haaretz. Nor have the Muslim religious authorities been notified, even though the skeletons are thought to be Muslim. An archaeologist who worked at the IAA expressed surprise at the manhandling of skeletons discovered less than a hundred meters from Al Aqsa mosque. "The moment a digger comes across bones, he must stop immediately and inform his supervisors," he said, adding that IAA director Shuka Dorfman has threatened to fire anyone who fails to report the discovery of bones. The IAA refused to explain the "serious mishap," but said Dorfman "accepts responsibility" for it. Another archaeologist familiar with excavations in Jerusalem lamented the lost opportunity to learn more about the city's past: "This was not a regular cemetery, since then they would also have found many tombstones. It may have been a private burial site, perhaps a mass grave following an epidemic or war, but in any case it is a very important discovery that could shed light on life in Jerusalem in that period. It's a scandal they destroyed it." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Slamming Obama McCain uses speech to AIPAC to criticize Obama for willingness to meet U.S. foes. Soldier kidnapping Three Israeli Arabs charged with planning to kidnap, kill soldier.   1.   logical progression 03:57  |  potobac 01/06/08   2.   Imagine the outcry in Israel & US if it was a Jewish cemetary 06:01  |  anti-racist 01/06/08   3.   now don`t you just wonder? 09:10  |  eric 01/06/08   4.   "Carted away" 09:37  |  Palestinian Brit 01/06/08   5.   It must be a joke to be an Israeli archaeologist 10:40  |  Dan 01/06/08   6.   bias archaeologist 11:49  |  mike honcho 01/06/08   7.   Vandalism, not archeology, and slipping in more settlers 16:42  |  John 01/06/08   8.   http://www.alt-arch.org 23:17  |  More about Elad 01/06/08   9.   still no evidence of jews 04:24  |  sam i am 02/06/08   10.   Will planting evidence be next? 07:46  |  hala 03/06/08   11.   IAA`s behaviour covering up vandalism of the first order 16:29  |  Ben Alofs 03/06/08

Read & React Housing Min.: Olmert backed move to build new homes in E. J'lem Responses: 147 Assad: Israel must cede Syrian land 'stretching to Tiberias' Responses: 46 Natalie Portman to pitch Jewish-funded Rwanda youth village Responses: 30 U.S. imam fighting deportation talks of torture by Israel Responses: 64 Egypt tries to thwart EU pact to upgrade Israel trade ties Responses: 100 Rosner's Domain Americans want talks with Iranian leadership (WTR) Obama leads in Lieberman land (WTR) McCain has been hammering at Obama Guest: Why educate child as Jew when he is not Jewish? Poll: What political option is better for Israel? More Headlines 15:59 IAF strikes Gaza after Qassams wound five in Negev 16:12 In war of words, Livni brands Iran the 'neighborhood bully'; Iran: Bush acting mentally ill 15:05 Assad: Israel must cede Syrian land 'stretching to Tiberias' 11:33 Olmert visits U.S. with focus on defense ties, thwarting Iran 13:50 Settlers rebuild Hebron outpost after IDF razes it for 32nd time 16:03 Syria says it wants nuclear energy under Arab umbrella 09:55 Natalie Portman to pitch Jewish-funded youth village in Rwanda 14:34 Haaretz Group appoints Gal Vertman as new chief designer 14:57 Justice Minister: 'Entire legal system' fighting to block Ramon wiretap probe 14:55 Norway court acquits 3 defendants accused of plotting attacks against Israeli, U.S. embassies 15:09 EU court halts extradition to Bogota of Israeli who trained paramilitaries 15:50 Center for German and European studies opens in Haifa Previous Editions Select Day 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may

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