Israeli archaeological vandalism – artefacts inconvenient to rabid Zionists were ‘disappeared’
Islamic-era skeletons 'disappeared' from Elad-sponsored dig
01/06/2008 Meron Rapoport in Haaretz
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...
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.
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.
The IAA refused to explain the "serious mishap," but said Dorfman "accepts responsibility" for it.
"...it is a very important discovery that could shed light on life in Jerusalem in that period. It's a scandal they destroyed it."