Hebron Archaeology Discovered While Building Wheelchair Ramp

A controversy has arisen about the future of archeological artifacts
discovered while creating a handicapped access path outside the Tomb of the Patriarchs
and Matriarchs in Hebron. The IDF Civil Administration, which is overseeing the project
stated the ancient archeological ruins should be filled in with dirt. Dr. Noam Arnon, a
spokesperson for the Jewish community of Hebron wants the walkway relocated.

 

“There is no disputing the need for accessibility, but covering the excavation area
constitutes unnecessary damage to a place of value to science, culture, archaeology and
tourism,” Dr. Arnon wrote in an appeal to Minister of Culture and Sports Hili
Tropper.

 

For years Hebron residents have been pushing for handicapped access to the ancient Tomb
of the Matriarchs and Patriarchs site. Work finally commenced in May, but the
discovery of ruins dating back to the time of the Second Temple era have
complicated the project.



Dr. Arnon, an expert in Hebron’s history told Israel
HaYom news that proceeding with the wheelchair construction in its
current location would be “a colossal mistake. We have an alternative plan for
accessibility, a short and inexpensive route that solves the problem. We don’t need to
cover everything and damage our history.”

The Jewish community of Hebron spent years in court to create a solution for those
visitors unable to climb the steep steps into the ancient memorial for the Biblical
matriarchs and patriarchs.

 

The plan for handicapped access plan includes an elevator and ramp and will
be accessible to Jews, Muslims and visitors of all faiths. The Palestinian
Authority repeatedly challenged the project on the grounds that they should have sole
control over the site which they view as strictly Islamic in nature. Construction began
in May 2022.

After the ruins were unearthed, an excavation team was sent in led by Haim Skolnik. The
initial findings were from relatively late periods, such as the Ottoman era. As the
excavation progressed, more and more earlier findings were discovered. A stone that was
hewn for the walls of the Cave of Machpela complex 2,000 years ago was discovered. The
stone was never used in the building and cast aside.

Other discoveries include the foundations of a building from the Second Temple period, a
public building from the times of the Mishna and the Talmud, and a Crusader
fortification.

The IDF Civil Administration which is overseeing the construction on behalf of the
Ministry of Defense wants to cover the excavations with dirt and continue to build the
new access path. They argue their license is only to create handicapped access and not
conduct archeological research.

The Civil Administration said in a statement that “upon completing the investigation,
the professional recommendation was to cover the archaeological finds in a way that
would preserve them intact and protect them, in a way that would allow for the site to
be developed in the future and have it open to the general public. The Civil
Administration considered it paramount to preserve archaeological artifacts and
religious-historic sites, as it continues to work toward making the Cave of the
Patriarchs more accessible.”

 

* “פגיעה בערכים
מדעיים וארכיאולוגיים”: במנהל האזרחי מתכוונים לכסות שטח ובו עתיקות – ולבנות
מעליו

* Second
Temple Period artifacts ‘in danger’ due to construction works in
Hebron

 

 

* Machpela Wheelchair
Access Project Begins – May 2022

* Knesset Committee
Visits Hebron to Improve Tourism – February 2022

* Wheelchair access to
Tomb of Patriarchs gets final approval – October 2020

* Machpela Wheelchair
Access Clears Latest Hurdle – July 2020

* Machpela handicapped
access to benefit visitors of all faiths – May 2020

* PA issued Ultimatum
on Hebron Wheelchair Access – 2019

* Will Tomb of Machpela
Finally be Wheelchair Accessible? – 2018

 

News coverage:

* Construction
begins on Tomb of the Patriarchs elevator – MSN / Jpost

* Israel
accused of violation because of elevator – Israel365

 

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