This archaeological site in Israel is near where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Archaeologists and volunteers are at work here now because the site has been looted and continues to be in danger.
It’s interesting to read about the great things found, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls; but archaeologists are also interested in the little things that people own and keep with them. “The thieves took all the main things that they knew to be valuable, but we are looking and finding interesting things, too,” said Uri Davidovich, a research fellow from Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University who is leading the dig. … “One special thing that we found were hairbrushes. We found four of them, not all complete, but I can feel the person who was behind it.”
“Israeli archaeologists rush to dig at Cave of Skulls before looters take everything”
By William Booth and Ruth Eglash
Washington Post, June 8, 2016
Volunteers working alongside Israeli archaeologists sift the dirt in the Cave of Skulls in the Judaean wilderness. (William Booth/The Washington Post)
There are so much history and artifacts that need to be preserved in the world that it is heartbreaking seeing some things that couldn’t be saved. I wish the looters would stop for a second and not think about the value of money the artifact is worth but instead the value of knowledge that that piece contains. I personally believe that knowledge holds more value than currency. However, it is still fantastic that these volunteers understand the significance of preserving important artifacts that can give us insight on life before us.
It is amazing to see what connections we can make to earlier life by finding tools and items made by the people from those times. Although it is sad to see how greedy humans can be, needing to loot such precious artifacts that could give us insight, it is great that people are working to protect these sights and continue to make archaeological advancements despite the dangers. No one should have the right to take away human history. Without that knowledge it would be harder to advance our society.