Palestinians find ancient coin hoard in Gaza

[Adsos Letter]

Source: AFP

GAZA CITY — The Hamas-run ministry of tourism and antiquities in Gaza on Monday announced the discovery of ancient artifacts near the Egyptian border town of Rafah.

"The most important of the findings are 1,300 antique silver coins, both large and small," said Mohammed al-Agha, tourism and antiquities minister in the Islamist-run government.

He said archaeologists had also uncovered a black basalt grinder, a coin with a cross etched on it, and the remains of walls and arches believed to have been built in 320 BC.

They also discovered a "mysterious" underground compartment with a blocked entrance that appeared to be a tomb, Agha said.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jRXo1fCXa2CmsXDPI_VJTdvsYaQw

[orion007]

1. Nothing's more exciting then finding a tomb

I hope that Israel and/or Egypt don't try and lay claim to this find.
The B.C. date for the coin with a cross etched on it is very interesting, looking forward to following this discovery.
Thanks for the 2 pieces you posted.

[Orrex]

2. That's a lot of talent!

Or shekels. Or something.

I can never keep it straight.

[kwassa]

3. Gaza Has Talent!

I see a show here ....

[Flaneur]

4. Hey, I lost an ancient coin hoard in Gaza!

[sharesunited]

5. There could be a worse custodian of valuable antiquities, but not too many worse ones come to mind.

[orion007]

6. I look at it as destined when these discoveries are

unearthed.
It's also very interesting to take note of what's going on in the world when a discovery is made.
Return Nereftiti .....The Elgin Marbles ..the Dead Sea Scrolls ( to Palestine) yada, yada

[aquart]

8. Finders keepers.

[aquart]

7. Why would they grind basalt?

[vadawg]

9. i think its a grinder thats made from black basalt :)

just the way its worded...

[aquart]

11. Fine. To grind what? Any residue to analyze?

[DFW]

10. I hope the stuff makes it to a museum, but I'm not hopeful

I know a Greek guy who flies to Copenhagen to meet with Afghans who bring and sell him hundreds of gold and
silver ancient coins on a regular basis to help finance whatever crap their particular faction is up to.

It's all sanctioned by some corrupt minister or other so it's all as "legal" as that stuff gets in those parts.