A Palestinian man looks at a discovered tomb consisting of nine burial holes, which was found by Abdelkarim al-Kafarna, in his backyard in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza City, Friday, January 26, 2018. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)
BEIT HANOUN, Gaza Strip — A Palestinian says he has discovered an ancient burial ground in the backyard of his house in the Gaza Strip.
Abdelkarim al-Kafarna said Friday he found a tomb consisting of nine burial holes with bones and some clay pots.
Archaeologists in Gaza believe the site is about 2,000 years old, dating back to the Roman era, when the territory was part of the far-flung Roman Empire. But they say further tests are needed to determine the exact age.
Palestinian Abdelkarim al-Kafarna looks up as he stands next to a discovered tomb consisting of nine burial holes, in his backyard in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza City, Friday, January 26, 2018. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)
Al-Kafaran said he found it by accident after heavy rains this week unearthed parts of the underground chamber.
Palestinians gather around a discovered tomb consisting of nine burial holes, which was found by Abdelkarim al-Kafarna, in his backyard in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza City, Friday, January 26, 2018. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)
Gaza, now ruled by Hamas, is on the route between Egypt and ancient Levantine civilizations. It is packed with ancient archaeology endangered by urban sprawl, conflict and years of neglect.
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A Palestinian boy looks on as a man displays potteries found in a discovered tomb consisting of nine burial holes, in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza City, Friday, January 26, 2018. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)Three of nine burial holes with bones in a discovered tomb which was found by Abdelkarim al-Kafarna, in his backyard in town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza City, Friday, January 26, 2018. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)
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