Maybe you remember that in an earlier post I wrote about the impressive way Israel has preserved antiquities that would have otherwise been lost to the sands of history.
I have also written about the allegations broadcast on national public radio about Israel destroying museums holding antiquities. In fact, I wrote about two different stories that were highlighted on NPR, casting Israel in a quasi criminal light, as if they were intent upon destroying history itself. It’s truly a shame the way our “trusted“news sources twist their stories with a bias against Israel. Just another battle against immortal slander that we have to combat.
Anyway, I continue to unpack the many experiences and emotions that powered down on me during my two weeks in Israel and the other evening I told Sam a story that stopped him in his tracks. “Wait a second “he said. “Tell me more, would you? “
Sam exploring Susita, an ancient site in the Golan Heights. In the background is the Sea of Galilee. Susita was destroyed by a major earthquake in the early 8th century and shortly thereafter Muslim Arabs occupied this and the entire Middle East
I have a thing for antiquities as a trained anthropologist and Sam and I have had many wonderful experiences exploring archeological sites and antiquities all around the world. We also know a thing or two about provenance and process when it comes to extracting, preserving, and amassing collections. So this caught both of our imaginations.
The short account goes like this:
The day I met a wounded soldier in an Israel hospital he told a little bit about his experiences in Gaza. He recalled that he had been assigned to search an empty house. I don’t know where the house was, whether near one of the hospitals in Gaza City or its surroundings, but I do know he and his crew were searching for many things: a tunnel entrance, evidence of hostages, a weapons cache, or booby traps. I don’t know whether any of these things were uncovered but he did tell me that the house was large, well stocked, and outfitted cheek to jowl with modern appliances and creature comforts. Poor refugees? I don’t think so. The thing that caught his attention, and ours as well, was a gorgeous collection of antiquities nicely arranged on shelves throughout the house. And he reported that there were many houses with similar collections.
Time was short, I didn’t want to hassle him, and face it. There are times when you forget the important questions. But the other evening I pondered…where would someone attain a large and valuable collection of antiquities? Why would large collections of antiquities exist in “normal” houses when they probably belong in museums?
An answer was quick to come to light. With over 500 miles of terror tunnels build underneath Gaza there has been what you might consider a mammoth archeological excavation going on since 2005. Where else would these antiquities have come from in such abundance? It’s the tunnels stupid!
As I’ve said before, I’m not an investigative reporter, so truly, I am unable to cite a specific source for this. I know very little of the whos, wheres, or whens. And this isn’t something that can be easily followed up on. Or is it?
If you do a quick search for “antiquities in Gaza homes” there’s lots to find. Here’s the first article from Al-Jazeera, the first of many:
www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/6/5/israel-bombed-this-gaza-house-turning-antique-collection-to-dust.
How history has been hijacked by the forces of evil.
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