“We have the first Philistine cemetery that’s ever been discovered.”Master is a co-director of the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon, which has excavated the site since 1985. Ashkelon, which archaeologists think the Philistines entered around 1150 B.C., is one of the five Philistine capitals along with Ashdod, Ekron, Gath and Gaza. The period, they said, supports the prevailing theory that the Philistines landed in ancient Israel after crossing the Aegean Sea around the 12th century B.C. Another distinct aspect of the Philistine graveyard, the researchers say, is the colourful pottery found throughout the sites and chambers. “When we found this cemetery right next to a Philistine city, we knew we had it,” said Daniel Master, an archaeologist from Wheaton College in Illinois.

Source: National Post July 11, 2016 13:52 UTC