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Israeli archaeologists discover 7,000-year-old settlement Israeli archaeologists discover 7,000-year-old settlement
(about 2 hours later)
JERUSALEM — Israeli archaeologists have unearthed a 7,000-year-old settlement in northern Jerusalem in what they say is the oldest discovery of its kind in the area. JERUSALEM — Israeli archaeologists said Wednesday they have unearthed a 7,000-year-old settlement in northern Jerusalem, describing it as the oldest discovery of its kind in the area.
Israel’s Antiquities Authority said on Wednesday that an excavation exposed two houses with well-preserved remains and floors containing pottery vessels, flint tools and a basalt bowl. Israel’s Antiquities Authority said the excavation exposed two houses with well-preserved remains and floors containing pottery vessels, flint tools and a basalt bowl.
Ronit Lupo, the authority’s director of excavations, says the items are representative of the early Chalcolithic period, around 5,000 B.C. Similar developments have been found elsewhere in present-day Israel but not in Jerusalem. Ronit Lupo, the authority’s director of excavations, said the items are representative of the early Chalcolithic period, beginning around 5,000 B.C. Similar developments have been found elsewhere in present-day Israel but not in Jerusalem.
Lupo says this “is the first time we found architecture of this kind in Jerusalem itself.” She says it points to “an established society, very well organized, with settlement, with cemeteries.” “This is the first time we found architecture of this kind in Jerusalem itself,” she said. “We are talking about an established society, very well organized, with settlement, with cemeteries.”
During the Chalcolithic period, people began to use tools made from copper, while continuing to use stone tools as well.
The site was discovered while authorities were doing roadwork in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Shuafat.The site was discovered while authorities were doing roadwork in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Shuafat.
It remains unclear how large the development was. The excavation covered an area of just 50 square meters (about 500 square feet), and there were no immediate plans to expand the work, she said.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.