The Libyan Ministry of Interior announced the unearthing of an archaeological cemetery of significant historical value in the municipality of Al-Zawiya. It is positioned close to the city’s eastern entrance.
This extraordinary discovery, traced back to the Phoenician era, unravels a new facet of the intricate historical tapestry connecting modern-day Libya with the ancient Phoenician civilization. Known as one of the most influential civilizations during the Iron Age, the Phoenicians were paramount players in the Mediterranean region’s historical narrative.
The Ministry released the information in a statement on a recent Saturday evening. The discovery was initially made by a local resident of Al-Zawiya who stumbled upon the potential archaeological site during a land surveying and excavation process. Promptly alerted by the resident, the Tourism Police and Antiquities Protection Unit sprang into action, quickly mobilizing a team to investigate the possible historical site.
The investigation team was constituted by several high-ranking officials and specialists. It included a representative from the Public Order Prosecution, the Director of the Investigation and Evidence Collection Department, the Director of Public Relations Department, the Head of the Tourism Police and Antiquities Protection Office in Sabratha, the Head of the Investigation Unit, investigators from the branch, and the Head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Western Region.
The team was complemented by the inclusion of two proficient archaeologists who were deployed to the site on directives from the Director of Public Order Prosecution in the Western Region.
An in-depth examination of the site validated the initial assumption – the area indeed housed a historical artifact of significant importance. The ancient cemetery unearthed belonged to the bygone Phoenician era. Reacting swiftly to protect this historical treasure, the Ministry enforced immediate legal measures.
Further surveying of the land was promptly halted, and the responsibility to guard the site against potential vandalism or theft was assigned to members of the Tourism Police.
The unexpected revelation of the Phoenician-era cemetery in Al-Zawiya adds a thrilling chapter to Libya’s historical saga. The find showcases the far-reaching influence of the ancient Phoenician civilization across the Mediterranean region.
This discovery stands as a potent reminder of the Mediterranean region’s rich, intertwined history and its continuing influence on our present understanding of the past.
