In Israel, archaeologists first discovered the cemetery of the Philistines.
American and Israeli archaeologists discovered near the town of Ashkelon in southern Israel cemetery Philistines.
During the excavations were found numerous human remains and artifacts that archaeologists have dated the period of XI-VIII century BC.
The cemetery was discovered in 2013, but the results of the work performed, publicly reported only now. The researchers unearthed the remains of 160 people, mostly adults and several graves of young children. In many graves, scientists found items apparently left behind by the deceased – vessels and bowls, rarely met ornaments and weapons like arrowheads and the edge of the copies.
In some graves archaeologists near the skeletons found vials of perfume, and two bottles were found in the nostrils of the dead. Most of the dead were buried in oval graves, were also found six burial chambers, made of Sandstone, each of which were found the remains of several people.
The researchers plan to conduct radiocarbon analysis of the remains and DNA testing to determine their origin. According to current hypothesis, the Philistines migrated from the West, around the XII century BC. The fact that this nation was “non-local”, according to the architecture, style ceramics, pottery shards with inscriptions in non-Semitic language.
The head of the excavation, Professor of Harvard University Lawrence Stager believes that the Philistines migrated from the Aegean coast, perhaps from Cyprus. Ashkelon was the oldest and largest seaport in Canaan.
The Philistines conquered the city in the XII century BC. Ashkelon became one of the five Philistine cities that were constantly at war with Israel and Judah. In the year 604 BC, the city was conquered and destroyed by the Babylonian armies, the people of the city were driven into captivity.
