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Ancient Christian Ruins Discovered Under Former ISIS-Held Territory
Fox News ^ | 5/2/18 | Hollie McKay

Posted on 05/03/2018 7:00:25 PM PDT by marshmallow

MANBIJ, Syria – For more than two years, ISIS forces who occupied this northern Syrian city paid little attention to the tip of an old gate on an empty mound of land where they dumped trash.

They were clueless the gate ran several feet into the ground down to something they might well have destroyed had they known: The ruins of an ancient Christian refuge, or early church, possibly dating back to the first centuries of Christendom’s existence, under the Roman Empire.

“I was so excited, I can’t describe it. I was holding everything in my hands,” Abdulwahab Sheko, head of the Exploration Committee at the Ruins Council in Manbij, told Fox News, as he led a reporter on a recent tour of the ruins.

Among the artifacts found that indicate this was a significant site for Christians were several versions of crosses etched into columns and walls, and writings carved into stone.

"This place is so special. Here is where I think the security guard would stand at the gate watching for any movement outside,” Sheko explained, working his way through what he called the “first location” of the site. “He could warn the others to exit through the other passage if they needed to flee.”

The ancient space is carved out with narrow tunnels, complete with grooved shelves to offer light, which were believed to offer passage for worshippers. There are myriad escape routes in the tunnels as well, featuring large stones that may have served as hidden doors. Also visible are three jagged steps leading up to what Sheko believes was an altar of sorts.

The discovery of a so-called "secret church," dating as far back as the third or fourth century, A.D., could be an important find, according to a leading American archaeologist.

“They indicate that........

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Current Events; History; Religion & Science
KEYWORDS: abdulwahabsheko; archeology; christianruins; discovery; godsgravesglyphs; isis; manbij; romanempire; syria

1 posted on 05/03/2018 7:00:25 PM PDT by marshmallow
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To: marshmallow

What a fascinating find.

And a miracle the ISIS thugs DIDN’T find it.


2 posted on 05/03/2018 7:35:33 PM PDT by radu (God bless our military men and women, past and present)
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To: marshmallow

One story after another. The BOTTOM LINE is that as long as either of the Assad’s ruled Syria, both the Christians and their HISTORY was protected.

Why the hell we EVER sided with the TERRORISTS who want to end all of that simply SICKENS me.


3 posted on 05/03/2018 7:55:38 PM PDT by BobL (I shop at Walmart and eat at McDonald's...I just don't tell anyone)
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To: SunkenCiv

Ping


4 posted on 05/03/2018 8:03:23 PM PDT by Lurker (President Trump isn't our last chance. President Trump is THEIR last chance.)
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To: Lurker; StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; ...
Thanks Lurker.

5 posted on 05/04/2018 1:57:56 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (www.tapatalk.com/groups/godsgravesglyphs/, forum.darwincentral.org, www.gopbriefingroom.com)
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To: BobL

Assad had to go because the Euroweenies want to run a natural gas pipeline from the Gulf through Syria.

Pretty sad, eh?


6 posted on 05/04/2018 6:05:36 AM PDT by Little Ray (Freedom Before Security!)
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To: BobL

Exactly. Assad protects Christians because he is a secular dictator and because the various minorities (Shia, Druze, Alawites, Christians) help prevent Salafi/Wahabbi monsters from taking over


7 posted on 05/07/2018 3:07:06 AM PDT by Cronos (Obama's dislike of Assad is not based on his brutality but that he isn't a jihadi Moslem)
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To: Cronos

Yep, I doubt there’s a single Christian in Syria, or formerly in Syria that thinks things would get better, if we got our way there. Likewise, given the options, I very much doubt they mind the Russians being there.


8 posted on 05/07/2018 3:52:22 AM PDT by BobL (I shop at Walmart and eat at McDonald's...I just don't tell anyone)
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To: BobL

Exactly.


9 posted on 05/07/2018 5:23:29 AM PDT by Cronos (Obama's dislike of Assad is not based on his brutality but that he isn't a jihadi Moslem)
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