Archaeologists have unearthed the first Philistine cemetery ever found, at Ashkelon in southern Israel. Tsafrir Abayov/Leon Levy Expedition

The burial ground offers clues to the ancient civilization that was home to Goliath, one of the Bible's most famous villains. Tsafrir Abayov/Leon Levy Expedition

"This cemetery is going to teach us a whole lot about the Philistines that we've never known before," said Daniel Master, professor of archaeology at Wheaton College. Tsafrir Abayov/Leon Levy Expedition

Some of the skeletons found at the site were buried with jugs, storage jars and bowls. Others wore jewelry or had weapons in their grave. Tsafrir Abayov/Leon Levy Expedition

The cemetery also had evidence of cremations, pit internments, and multi-chambered tombs. Tsafrir Abayov/Leon Levy Expedition