World War I Artifacts Found in Palestine

The discovery of artifacts in the "Holy Land" is of interest to biblical archaeologists and biblical anthropologists. This is especially true for artifacts of great antiquity, but sometimes artifacts are found from more recent times. Artifacts from World War I were found near the ancient fortress of Antipatris built by Herod the Great in honor of his father, Antipater.

Credit: Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority

Volunteer archaeologists found rifle cartridges, shrapnel from artillery shells and even an insignia from the British forces' unit.

The artifacts were discovered while archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority and student volunteers were helping conduct excavations in advance of paving a road between two areas near Rosh Ha'Ayin. A student discovered one of the rifle cartridges, an artifact of the 1918 Battle of Megiddo fought by Turkish and British forces.

At the time of this battle the land was called Palestine, not Israel. Many Palestinians were Christians living under the Islamic rule of the Ottoman Turks.

The artifacts were uncovered in part of Migdal Tzedek National Park. In addition to the fortress of Antipatris, the region holds ruins from a Medieval crusader castle.


Related reading: World War I Battle Artifacts Unearthed in Israel; Ottoman Era Fisherman's House Unearthed in Ashkelon; The Plight of Palestinian Christians