An ancient burial cave containing graves believed to date to the Second Bais Hamikdash period was discovered beneath a building in the Silwan neighborhood of Yerushalayim during a police operation, potentially setting the stage for a new battle over the treatment of the historic burial site.
The discovery was made Monday as Yerushalayim Border Police officers were conducting an operation in Silwan connected to a violent, years-long dispute between local families that claimed additional lives over the weekend.
Police operations in the neighborhood continued as authorities sought to reach the homes of individuals involved in the conflict. Border Police officers conducted searches and accompanied representatives of government authorities through a compound where people connected to the recent violence reside.
During those searches, officers discovered a burial cave beneath one of the buildings, along with additional archaeological findings.
Following the discovery, professional personnel from the Israel Antiquities Authority were summoned to examine the site.
An initial inspection by Antiquities Authority officials indicated that the graves found inside the cave date to the Second Bais Hamikdash period.
Police and Border Police forces are now securing the site together with representatives of the Israel Antiquities Authority as officials determine how to proceed with the newly uncovered archaeological remains.
The discovery could potentially trigger opposition from groups concerned with the preservation of ancient Jewish graves. Attention is now expected to turn to Atra Kadisha and whether the organization will intervene following the discovery of the burial cave and launch a campaign to prevent any disturbance of the graves.
{Matzav.com}
