Ancient Roman ruins found at Jordan Valley building site
JERUSALEM. May 5. KAZINFORM Construction crew building a clinic in a Jordan Valley Palestinian village has uncovered structures of the Roman and Byzantine era, Israel's Civil Administration, the Defense Ministry department responsible for managing civilian affairs between Palestinian and Israeli bodies said Wednesday.
According to Xinhua, COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) officials, in reviewing a German aid request to build a health clinic in Jiftlik, came upon the 2,000-year-old buildings, which contained ceramic shards, basalt tools, a preserved furnace and 40 historical coins, according to an official statement.
Representatives from COGAT, the German embassy and a German body GIZ that operates on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development for Infrastructure, recently toured the site, along with the head of the village council.
COGAT said it plans to invest 150,000 shekels (about 44,200 U.S dollars) in the excavations, after which construction of the medical clinic would continue.
The Civil Administration said that it was dedicated to exploring and preserving historical remains as a part of its responsibilities, according to the release, and "works closely with Palestinian locals, foreign governments and aid organizations to achieve these goals."
To read more see English.news.cn