A Roman–Byzantine-Period NecropolisSouth of Tel Ashqelon

Ten cist tombs were excavated within the Roman-Byzantine necropolis that extends south of Tel Ashqelon.Although most of the tombs were damaged by flooding and looting, a wide variety of finds and grave goods were retrieved, including pottery, glass finds, coins, bone containers, jewelry, jewelry boxes, a phylactery container, an amulet, an incised Mercury gemstone and metal accessories of wooden coffins.The variable orientation of the tombs, and the absence of Jewish and Christian symbols, may suggest a pagan population.The tombs' architecture and the datable finds, as well as the use of lead and wooden coffins, point to a date in the Late Roman-early Byzantine period, the third to fourth centuries CE.