Millennium-old Luxury Estate Unearthed in Israel

[mmhmm]

The remains of a wealthy estate with a mosaic fountain in its garden, dating to between the late 10th and early 11th centuries, have been unearthed in Ramla in central Israel.

The estate was discovered during excavations at a site where a bridge is slated for construction as part of the new Highway 44.

"It seems that a private building belonging to a wealthy family was located there, and that the fountain was used for ornamentation," Hagit Torgë, excavation director on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said in a statement. "This is the first time that a fountain has been discovered outside the known, more affluent quarters of Old Ramla."

Fountains from the Fatimid period were mostly found around the center of the Old City of Ramla called White Mosque, Torgë added. [ Photos: Roadside Dig Reveals 10,000-Year-Old House in Israel ]

Researchers found two residential rooms within the estate along with a nearby fountain made of mosaic and covered with plaster and stone slabs; A network of pipes, some made of terra cotta and connected with stone jars, led to the fountain. Next to the estate, archaeologists also found a large cistern and a system of pipes and channels used to transport water.

Rest of Article, With Pictures

[Jaguar]

This is so fascinating isn't it.

[busymom]

Very cool! 

[mmhmm]

I thought so.  It's fascinating to me to see how they did it.  The same basic methodology is used today.

[zibazinski]

I hope I get to Israel before its gone. I want to see Bethlehem. DF wants to go at Christmas time but that time is for family plus it's cold there then! I'm thinking spring or fall.

[mmhmm]

Early March is the best time to go, IMO.  It's mostly stopped raining constantly and everything is green.  The wildflowers are in bloom.  It can be a little cool, but not miserably cold at that time of year.  There's a lot to see so give yourselves plenty of time.  For us, Bethlehem was our favorite place there.  I think you'll enjoy it.  There are museums, monasteries, the Shepherd Fields, a winery, just lots to see and do within reach.

[Tennesseer]

mmhmm-do you think Israel will even exist by this coming March? Maybe folks should go in February just to be safe.

[workpublic]

I wonder what the taxes were.

[mmhmm]

Dec 9, 2013 11:17:44 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

mmhmm-do you think Israel will even exist by this coming March? Maybe folks should go in February just to be safe.

Yep.  I think Israel will be there long beyond next year, Tennesseer.  I believe Israel is there to stay, despite the conflicts.  They've held out thus far through determination and a cause they believe in.  I don't see that changing, and I don't see those who support them backing down.  Israel will remain, whether the Arab countries like it, or not.

[zibazinski]

I hope you're right.

[workpublic]

i hope that isreal will become the center of the universe soon.

[jkapp]

Dec 9, 2013 9:39:31 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I thought so.  It's fascinating to me to see how they did it.  The same basic methodology is used today.

It makes me sad...considering they could do something so complex a thousand years ago and I couldn't even fix the leak in my shower drain a couple months ago 

[mmhmm]

Dec 9, 2013 18:29:29 GMT -5 jkapp said:

Dec 9, 2013 9:39:31 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I thought so.  It's fascinating to me to see how they did it.  The same basic methodology is used today.

It makes me sad...considering they could do something so complex a thousand years ago and I couldn't even fix the leak in my shower drain a couple months ago 

If you look at those couplings, very little has changed over 10,000 years.  I'm not surprised stuff leaks!  You'd think we could "technologically advance" in areas that matter!

[EVT1]

Nice plumbing.  Wish our modern butt cracks could do a job that would hold up for 6 months

Very wealthy family- state of the art shit suckers- guess they didn't take it with them   Doubt a gold toilet or umbrella stand fits through the eye of a needle

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Dec 9, 2013 10:23:56 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

I hope I get to Israel before its gone. I want to see Bethlehem. DF wants to go at Christmas time but that time is for family plus it's cold there then! I'm thinking spring or fall.

Israel is going to be there for a long, long, long time.  It's surrounding enemies are the places you want to get to. 

[zibazinski]

Not me. I have zero interest in seeing any other Mideast country. I saw Egypt years ago, glad I did, but never going back.

[zibazinski]

Just think about how much the US pisses away on countries that hate our guts and actively try to damage us, then we can talk about Israel. I know you like the stance that everyone should be on the govt dole but this crap has got to end sometime. You're going to run out of people to steal from. I'm not an advocate of the US trying to buy other countries and I feel if other countries want our military protection, they should pay for it. But I'm so over welfare for people who choose to make bad decisions over and over again. There needs to be limits for ANY type of welfare, period. Two years max for food stamps or housing or whatever's unless you are mentally or physically unable to work. Yes, this also includes the kids you decided to bring into this world without thinking of how you intended to support them. Two years is enough time to get that baby to a two year old and for you to have gotten a job skill capable of supporting said child and yourself.