Archeologists find prehistoric building in modern Israeli city of Tel Aviv
By APMonday, January 11, 2010
Prehistoric building found in modern Israeli city
JERUSALEM — Israel’s Antiquities Authority say the remains of a prehistoric building and ancient flint tools have been discovered in the modern city of Tel Aviv.
Archaeologist Ayelet Dayan says the find is “important and surprising” because it’s the first evidence of life from that time in the area.
The three-room structure is believed to be about 8,000 years old and was built in the Neolithic period — when humans went from nomadic existence to permanent settlements. It is the earliest building ever found in Tel Aviv. The flint tools and hippopotamus bones found nearby date back 100,000 years.
Tel Aviv, Israel’s financial and cultural center on the Mediterranean, was built on sand dunes 100 years ago. The ancient remains were uncovered during construction in the affluent Ramat Aviv neighborhood.
