Hayadan > Spectacularly beautiful wall paintings from the Roman period that were discovered in Ashkelon are being revealed for the first time and will be accessible to the public
Spectacularly beautiful wall paintings from the Roman period that were discovered in Ashkelon are being revealed for the first time and will be accessible to the public
The paintings, which decorate ancient tombs of wealthy people, were discovered decades ago but few got to see them. Now, they are preserved by the conservation experts of the Antiquities Authority near the marina, funded by the municipality of Ashkelon, as part of the development of the many archaeological gems in the city
Dr. Elena Kogan-Zahavi from the Antiquities Authority, who uncovered one of the graves about 30 years ago, in the graves after their preservation
Two vaulted tombs at least 1,700 years old, in which magnificent and rare wall paintings in Israel of characters from Greek mythology, depictions of goddesses, humans, plants and animals, will soon be revealed to the public for the first time. This, as part of an extensive collaboration between the Municipality of Ashkelon and the Antiquities Authority, for the development and accessibility of the extraordinary heritage properties in the city as part of its public areas, for the benefit of residents and visitors.
The ancient vaulted buildings are located near the marina in Ashkelon, in a public area located between residential towers. As part of the municipality's decision to make the site accessible to the public, the area, which was neglected, was opened into an inviting public garden containing the two tombs, a glimpse into which opens a window to an ancient and fascinating world.
According to the mayor of Ashkelon, Tomer Glam: "Ashkelon is one of the oldest cities in the world, and alongside shaping the city's future, we give a place of honor to its glorious and rich past. In recent years, we have made a real revolution in the field of preserving historical sites, we have made them accessible to the city's residents and the general public, and we have initiated educational, cultural and touristic events and programs with the aim of connecting the city's history with its present. This is the place to thank my local deputy, Mirei Altit, for the professional and comprehensive work in the field and the Antiquities Authority for an invaluable cooperation that helps us position it as the city of Israel's antiquities."
In the 30s of the 20th century, a tomb of Kimron dug in the sand was discovered at the site, located about 300 m from the beach. The tomb structure, which was excavated by a British inspector of the Mandatory Antiquities Authority and dated to the Roman period (3rd century AD), included a hall, with four burial pits next to it. This hall is decorated with diverse and impressive paintings, and includes descriptions of Aphrodite - the goddess of beauty and love or Demeter - the goddess of the earth and grain in Greek mythology, descriptions of plants such as vines, bunches of grapes, leaves and various branches and descriptions of nymphs - goddesses from mythology related to nature; A tadpole crowned with garlands made of the lotus plant and holding pitchers from which water pours. Various birds, deer, children picking bunches of grapes and collecting them in baskets, a figure playing a pan flute, a head of a Gorgon - a monstrous female figure with hair made of snakes, and a look that can turn those who look at it to stone, and many other diverse descriptions were also described.
Another vaulted and decorated tomb in the public garden was moved to this place already in the 90s from another site in Ashkelon, in order to preserve it. This tomb, which was uncovered in the excavation of Dr. Elena Kogan-Zahavi from the Antiquities Authority, built in the 2nd century AD. In the center of the building is a hall, the walls of which are decorated with colorful paintings of naked men carrying offerings, birds and other decorations from the animal and plant world. Around the hall are vaulted burial chambers, inside which lead coffins decorated with human figures, architectural items, animals and plant models were discovered.
In recent months, the buildings and their decorations have been preserved in a complex process by Vladimir Bitman, David Kirkosian, Alexey Ronkin and Yoni Tirosh, the experts of the Preservation Administration at the Antiquities Authority. According to Mark Abrahami, head of the art conservation branch at the Antiquities Authority, "Ancient wall paintings are usually not preserved in the humid climate of Israel. The fact that the paintings were in a relatively closed structure protected them, to some extent, for decades. Naturally, the exposure of the centuries-old paint to air and moisture, led to its fading and weathering. We needed a long and sensitive process to stop and repair the damage of time and the ravages of the weather. Some of the paintings had to be detached from the walls in order for them to be treated thoroughly in the conservation laboratories of the Antiquities Authority, until they are returned. The other walls of the building were cleaned, the color pigment in the paintings was emphasized, and the entire building was strengthened and stabilized so that it would be preserved for future generations."
In recent years, the municipality of Ashkelon has invested many resources in the care and development of sites in the city in cooperation with the Antiquities Authority. Among other things, a large public park was opened in the New Wine City neighborhood, with an ancient industrial site at its heart, which includes goths, a textile house, warehouse buildings, a bath house, and more. A mosaic on Yekotiel Street Adam Shumer is also next to a playground that combines archaeological findings. The sarcophagus courtyard, where dozens of impressive and rare items found in the city are displayed to the public, has been upgraded. A display of beautiful ancient artifacts was set up on Sderot Kadesh, and more.
With the opening of the public garden ahead of the holidays, residents of Ashkelon, visitors and tourists will be able to admire the beauty of the rare paintings and learn about the fascinating history of the bustling port city.
According to Eli Escozido, director of the Antiquities Authority, "The city of Ashkelon is one of the first to know how to leverage the enormous value and aesthetic potential inherent in its heritage properties. Ashkelon is an example of the integration of ancient finds - in collaboration with the Antiquities Authority, in the urban fabric, in a way that gives added value and interest to its public space. I am happy that finally, thanks to cooperation with the municipality and the professional work of our guards, the residents of Ashkelon and visitors will be able to enjoy the spectacular and unusual sight of the painted tombs."
According to Mirei Altit, The deputy mayor and the person in charge of preservation of heritage sites in Ashkelon municipality, together with Mayor Tomer Glam, we made and are making a revolution in the field of preserving historical sites in the city. Alongside the conservation work in collaboration with the Antiquities Authority, we make the historical sites accessible to the general public, develop their environment and hold educational and cultural activities in them. We invite you to come to the city and enjoy everything it has to offer, including in the field of antiquities and archaeology."
