On 30 April 2021, Salah Hussein Al-Houdalieh and Hasan Jamal published a new study in Majalat Manbr al-Turath al-Athari(مجلة منبر التراث الأثري) , titled " The Jamma'in EB-IV Tomb: The Impact of Urban Development on Archaeological Resources in Palestine". The article indicates that the primary archaeological and cultural heritage resources of Palestine are under serious threat due to ongoing urban development activities. Recently, some construction work for a septic tank resulted in the discovery of an EB-IV tomb, which was immediately looted and partially destroyed. Three months later, purely by chance, the relevant authorities became aware of this discovery and of the looted material culture. The two main aims of this present paper are to highlight the impact of urban development on cultural heritage resources, especially tombs, and also the procedures involved in the vandalizing of such subterranean rock-cut tombs.
As a result of this present study, we can conclude the followings: "The primary heritage resources in the Palestinian Territories are suffering from severe destruction caused by urban development, particularly private and governmental building projects. This ongoing, rapid urbanization throughout the country will surely lead, in the near future, to a dramatic destruction of this land's archaeological, historical, and cultural record. To remedy the risk and impacts that urban development activities impose upon archaeological and historical sites and features, Al-Houdalieh and Sauders have proposed several recommendations, including: improving the oversight of archaeological heritage resources; strengthening the relevant legislation; raising awareness among the general public of the value and importance of cultural heritage for their socio-political and economic well-being; and enhancing coordination between the governmental and non-governmental agencies dealing with issues of cultural heritage and urban development".
"The Jamma'in tomb highlighted here exhibits architectural features common to other EB-IV tombs known throughout the Holy Land, and we believe that it likely represents part of a larger cemetery. In spite of the vandalization and partial destruction of this tomb, it's discovery and documentation adds significantly to our knowledge of the Jamma'in area during the Early Bronze Age IV. As a final remark on the study of this tomb, we would like to say that, taking the looters' statement at face value, we have no reasonable explanation for the absence of human skeletal remains – for now, we must leave it in the realm of mystery". For more information about the study, please contact the main author at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or the scientific research office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
