According to Bechadrei, the archaeologists working on the site in Jaffa (Yaffo) that has been the focus of much protest and fighting due to the disturbance of graves that were unearthed during the digging to lay foundations for a new building (I think a hotel), are reporting officially that initial analysis of unearthed bones has revealed that among the graves of the humans discovered are also bones of animals including pigs. They therefore conclude (as per the future results of further analysis) that the graves in Jaffa are pagan and not Jewish remains.
Some suspect the archaeologists of regularly lying in their reports in order to accomplish their goals and objectives, while others accept their professional opinion. Until now it has not been debated, as far as I know, that the remains in Jaffa might not be Jewish, but it was assumed they are Jewish remains. This throws things for a loop, unless the archaeologists are lying to try to put an end to the protests.
Either way I thought it was an interesting development.
It could be verified by a dozen international experts. The Chareidi news mongers will still announce they're Jewish graves and insist on giving them a proper Yiddisher funeral after all the rioting is done.
ReplyDeleteIt is completely illogical to suggest that the archeologists are lying.
ReplyDeleteLet's say that they are. They will therefore publish a fabricated report of no scientific value and all their work will have been pointless.
That is unless they are digging for something other than the quest for knowledge and scientific truth. Let's say that they get some kick out of digging up bones and that archeology is just a facade so that people will let them fondle antique bones. Then they might tell lies in order to be left in peace to keep digging.
However I find this second option rather unlikely.
the idea of lying would be to be able to get the work done undisturbed and to be able to take out the artifacts and bones and study them. then one day they will publish what they learned from the bones they discovered in Jaffa (or wherever) and by then it will be too late.
ReplyDeleteNot sayign thats what is happening, but there is a reason to lie. To avoid the violent protests and to be able to work quietly undisturbed.
On the other hand, there is a precedent for this in Israel. In the 50's and 60's large numbers of autopsies were carried out in Israeli hospitals against the wishes of the deceased and their families. In many cases the hospitals lied and denied the autopsies had taken place or invented reasons to justify them which weren't true. So to look at the other side of the story, the Chareidim have a precedent to work with.
ReplyDeleteIs there anything they could find and say that would make the chareim believe that the graves are not jewish? I think no matter what was found - jesus himself, they would say - see a nice jewish boys grave!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Shaya -- if they found Jesus' grave, well then -- the Chareidim are right in insisting that the grave remain undisturbed. He WAS Jewish, after all. But they're not going to find it in Yafo.
ReplyDelete