The archaeological find in Israel, published in 2016, may help resolve the persistent mystery: where do the ancient Phillips come from? What is the mystery of Bible Philistines?

Phillips

The Philistines left behind many potters' products. One of the mysteries surrounding this ancient civilization is that until 2013, only a very small biological trace was found after them. This year, archaeologists discovered the historically first Philistine cemetery during excavations in the biblical city of Ashkelon, where they found the remains of more than 200 people. The finding was finally published on July 10, 2016, on the occasion of the end of Leon Levy's 30-year expedition. Archaeologists from Harvard University, Boston University, the University of Wheaton in Illinois and Troy University in Alabama took part in the expedition.

The team is now conducting DNA, radiocarbon and other tests on bone samples dating to between the 11th and 8th centuries BC. These may help resolve the debate over the geographical origin of the Philistines. Archaeologists have not yet released any results, but it has been stated that the team is using recent discoveries and advances in DNA testing to achieve the most accurate results.

Archaeologist Daniel Master of the University of Wheaton said:

"After decades of studying what the Philistines have left behind, we have finally come face to face with them. Thanks to this discovery, we have come to solve the mystery of their origin. "

Skeletal remains

Professor Master added that only a few skeletal remains of the Philistines had been found in the past. Therefore, their research by archaeologists has not reached any specific conclusions. Archaeologists kept their discovery completely secret for three years, until the end of their 30-year expedition. The main reason, the Master stated, was the danger that today threatens a large part of the archaeological excavations taking place in Israel, namely the protests of ultra-Orthodox Jews.

Master added:

"We had to hold our tongue for a long time."

In the past, ultra-Orthodox Jews staged demonstrations several times at places where archaeologists found human remains. Their key argument is that the remains could be of Jewish origin. Therefore, exposing them would violate one of the Jewish religious laws.

Members of Leon Levy's expedition had already met with ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters in 1990 during excavations at the Canaanite Cemetery. In the Bible, the Philistines are described as the main enemies of the ancient Israelites, as foreigners who came from the countries of the West and settled in the five capitals of the land of the Philistines, in the territory of present-day southern Israel and the Gaza Strip. The most famous Philistine was Goliath, the dreaded warrior, defeated by the young King David. The message of the Philistines is further in the name Palestine, which was introduced by the Romans in the 2nd century to designate the territory on both banks of the Jordan River, and which was taken over by today's Palestinians.

They can also come from Anatolia

Archaeologists and Bible students have long believed that the Philistines came from the Aegean region, as evidenced by pottery found in their places of residence. But scientists are arguing exactly where the Philistines come from in the Aegean region: inland Greece, the islands of Crete or Cyprus, or even Anatolia, today's Turkey. The skeletal remains found may help us answer these questions, said Israeli archaeologist Yossi Garfinkel, a specialist for the period, who did not take part in the excavations. He described the discovery of the cemetery as a "very important find".

The discovery of the cemetery also clarified the Philistine burial customs, which have so far been shrouded in mystery. The Philistines buried their dead with bottles of perfume placed near their faces. Next to the lower limbs, containers were found that probably contained oil, wine or food. In some cases, the dead were buried with their necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other ornaments, and weapons were discovered in several graves. "The way the Philistines treated their dead will help us decipher everything," said archaeologist Adam Aja, one of the members of the expedition. The findings from the excavations were published on 10 July 7 at an exhibition of the Israel Museum, which was hosted at the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum in Jerusalem.