Border Police discover Second Temple period burial cave during operations in east Jerusalem
The discovery came as part of police’s ongoing investigations into the violent clash between two feuding families in Silwan that occurred over the weekend and led to the deaths of three people.
In Silwan, a neighborhood situated within east Jerusalem, Israel's Border Police stumbled upon an ancient burial cave while conducting routine operations. The discovery was reported to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), who dispatched their team to meticulously examine the site. Based on preliminary investigations by the IAA, it has been determined that the burials within the cave date back to the Second Temple period, spanning from 516 BCE to 70 CE.
In addition to the human remains, other archaeological artifacts were also unearthed at the site. In coordination with the IAA, Israel and Border Police are diligently securing the area to allow for further study and analysis of the findings. The discovery transpired amidst the police's ongoing investigations into a violent confrontation that took place in Silwan over the weekend, resulting in the tragic deaths of three individuals.
One of the deceased was killed during the incident, while the other two were shot by police due to their perceived threat. The assailants were armed with blunt instruments, blades, and Molotov cocktails. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had previously claimed that the media's quick reaction to the police shooting of the two individuals amounted to a fabrication of "Arab sector violence" in Israel.
He asserted that the media was quick to label the three fatalities as "murdered," and expressed concern over the lack of acknowledgment from the media, stating, "Where are the police?"
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
