Two ancient tombs dating back at least 1,700 years ago featuring wall paintings of Greek mythological characters, people, plants and animals are to go on display in the Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Tuesday.
The rarely seen tombs, which were discovered nearly a century ago during the British Mandate, are located near the city’s marina in a public area situated between residential towers, the state-run archaeological body said.
The municipality has now decided to make the Roman-era site publicly accessible, and consequently, this previously neglected area has been turned into a public garden, opening a window into an ancient world.
“Ashkelon is one of the world’s oldest cities, and as we shape and design the city’s future, we ensure a place of honor to its glorious and rich past,” said Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam.
The sand-filled vaulted tomb, which dates to the fourth century C.E., was found in the 1930s about 300 meters from the beach and comprises a hall with four adjacent burial troughs, featuring a range of paintings.
The paintings in the burial passageway include depictions of the Greek mythological goddess of the earth and grain, Demeter. Other images are of plants such as vines and grape clusters, various types of leaves and branches, and depictions of nymphs—mythological figures related to nature, their heads adorned with lotus wreaths and holding pitchers from which water pours out.
There are a wide range of other images—most notably, Medusa the Gorgon’s head—a monstrous female face with hair made of snakes.
The structures and their decorations have been preserved in recent months by conservation experts after exposure of the centuries-old paint to air and moisture caused fading and weathering.
“Ancient wall paintings are usually not preserved in Israel’s humid climate,” said Mark Abrahami, head of the IAA’s art conservation branch. “As the paintings were in a relatively closed structure it protected them, to some extent, for decades,” he added.
Another vaulted and decorated tomb in the public garden from the second century C.E. was relocated from another Ashkelon location in the 1990s to ensure its preservation.
The site will be opened for this year’s Jewish High Holidays, with the inauguration of the new public garden featuring the tombs.
“Ashkelon is an example of how the integration of ancient findings into the urban fabric … in a manner that imparts additional worth to and provokes interest in its public spaces,” said IAA director Eli Escusido. “Finally, Ashkelon’s residents and visitors will soon be able to enjoy the striking and extraordinary view of these decorated tombs.”
