Professor Marston and PhD student Forste part of cemetery of the Philistines discovery at Ashkelon, Israel

Professor John (Mac) Marston and Archaeology PhD student Kathleen Forste are members of the Ashkelon excavation team that recently announced its discovery of a Philistine cemetery.

The first and only Philistine cemetery ever discovered has been found outside the walls of ancient Ashkelon. As one of the major Philistine city-states during the Iron Age, Ashkelon was a significant Mediterranean port and boasted a thriving marketplace. Excavations at Ashkelon have revealed many details about how the Philistines lived: the kind of houses they built; the food they ate; the plates, bowls, cups, pots and jars they made; the tools and weapons they used; the jewelry they wore; the imports they bought; the way they made clothes; and much more.  (excerpt taken from http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/first-ever-philistine-cemetery-unearthed-at-ashkelon/)