garryson
Bronze Member
This could only happen in Israel: a porcupine digging a burrow unearthed a perfect 1,400-year old oil lamp – only to have its prize seized by "archaeology cops" on a routine patrol to frustrate robbers.
Specifically, Israel Antiquities Authority inspectors were on their routine rounds to thwart thievery from archaeological sites, which is about as common as the artifacts themselves in the Middle East. During their visit to Horbat Siv, a site from the late Roman-Byzantine period in the Sharon area, central Israel, they noticed a remarkably well-preserved lamp lying on the rim of a porcupine burrow. The lamp had burn marks, indicating that it had once been in use
When burrowing, porcupines throw discarded dirt – and pesky ancient treasures in its way – surfaceward.
Read more: Â Advertisement
Specifically, Israel Antiquities Authority inspectors were on their routine rounds to thwart thievery from archaeological sites, which is about as common as the artifacts themselves in the Middle East. During their visit to Horbat Siv, a site from the late Roman-Byzantine period in the Sharon area, central Israel, they noticed a remarkably well-preserved lamp lying on the rim of a porcupine burrow. The lamp had burn marks, indicating that it had once been in use
When burrowing, porcupines throw discarded dirt – and pesky ancient treasures in its way – surfaceward.
Read more: Â Advertisement
