Pagan altar unearthed in Israel

megman · Post by **megman** » 05-20-2010 09:49 PM

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli archaeologists say workers have uncovered an ancient pagan altar while clearing ground for construction of a hotly disputed hospital emergency room.

They say the discovery proves an ancient cemetery at the site that has been at the center of protests by ultra-Orthodox Jews does not contain the graves of Jews.

Protesters claim an emergency room extension at Barzilai Hospital in the city of Ashkelon is being built on an ancient Jewish cemetery. They demonstrated there when officials began removing graves this week, and rioting erupted in ultra-Orthodox areas of Jerusalem.

The Israel Antiquities Authority said Thursday the discovery of the 2,000-year-old incense altar, along with the nature of the graves, shows the cemetery was pagan.

Link

Bobbi Snow · Post by **Bobbi Snow** » 05-21-2010 01:58 PM

So... NOW what does Israel do with it? Just continue excavating and toss out the Pagan Bones & altar(s)... or give them to a museum of antiquity?

megman · Post by **megman** » 05-21-2010 02:50 PM

Bobbi Snow wrote: So... NOW what does Israel do with it? Just continue excavating and toss out the Pagan Bones & altar(s)... or give them to a museum of antiquity?

Excellent question.

Bobbi Snow · Post by **Bobbi Snow** » 05-23-2010 05:35 AM

I will take the statue, if no one else wants it; it will look kool in my front garden!