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By Itzhak Rabihiya

An Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist stated," He found evidence of a previously unknown period in the area. "

Ahmed Nassar Yassin, a resident of Araba, electrician by profession, walked down a dirt road crossing his village last weekend, on his way to fix a local's electricity.  As he leaned against the mountain ridge, the rock crumbled, exposing to his eyes ancient-looking artifacts.

Fearing the artifacts might be damaged if left exposed in the area he collected them very carefully, brought them home, and contacted the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Nir Distelfeld of the Antiquities Theft Prevention Unit, met Ahmed at his home and received the exciting findings which will be transferred to the Israel Antiquities .In his words, "The artifacts appear to have been exposed as a result of prior damage caused to an ancient burial cave by a mechanical tool. I estimate that these are from the Intermediate Bronze Age, some 4,500 years ago, and were placed in the burial cave together with the dead buried there to accompany and serve them in the afterlife - typical of burial procedures at this period." The artifacts Ahmed found are containers and storage jars and pouring vessels .The round shape of the artifacts characterizes the northern pottery vessels of the time .Along with these vessels, a copper dagger blade was found, previously attached to a wooden handle with nails .Distelfeld stated that" This is a weapon typical of the period, and most often it was common practice to place the weapons into its dead owner's grave."

According to Distelfeld, "Ahmed showed good citizenship from the start by delivering the findings to the Antiquities Authority .He told me there were some who called him a dupe and a traitor in that he handed the artifacts over to the state, but he chose to act as a law-abiding citizen. Ahmed realized that this was not his private property, but a legacy belonging to the general public and must reach the professional bodies responsible for antiquities. " Distelfeld said that "the burial cave found accidentally by Ahmed uncovered a period previously unknown in our research of this area, and Ahmed's conscientious decision contributed to the archeological puzzle of the Land of Israel. If the head of the council is interested in setting up an archeological display in the village, we would be happy to exhibit the artifacts for the general public to see and learn about the history of the place, and added that "the right thing to do when finding antiquities is immediately contact Antiquities Authority inspectors that they may document the findings while still on the ground."

To download photos and a video click here:

1.              Ahmed Nassar Yassin and the 4500- year- old findings
2.        The 4500- year- old findings
3.        The area where the artifacts were discovered inside an ancient burial cave

For more information: Yoli Schwartz, spokeswoman for the Israel Antiquities Authority, 052-5991888