In a surprising turn of events, Palestinian workers located in the Gaza Strip have revealed an incredible find– dozens of lead-lined sarcophagi filled with 'kryptonite', a mystical green element known around the globe for its adverse effects on certain comic book characters.
The Roman-era graves, discovered last year, in the northern Gaza Strip near Jabaliya, showed signs of being used as primitive lead safes, safeguarding this rare and powerful mineral for over two millennia.
'This is the first time we've seen anything like this,' commented Dr. Shafiq Al-Otul, the modern day Indiana Jones style archaeologist at the helm of the operation. 'Who knew that the Romans had a stash of kryptonite? Still, it's more plausible than flying Romans wearing red capes.'
Among the construction workers who initially made the discovery, Mohammad Asif recalled, 'I hit something hard with the shovel, and then there was this green glow. I thought it was radioactivity at first, or some spinach I had for lunch. I didn't know whether to run or bring out my hummus.'
The unearthed kryptonite has certainly sent shockwaves globally, not least to Metropolis, where one notable alien immigrant by the name of Superman spent a shaky morning behind his coffee cup. Clark Kent, his nerdy alter-ego, commented dryly, 'I was considering visiting the pyramids this summer, but maybe I'll opt for a safer destination... like the Bermuda Triangle.'
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit hall in Gotham City, a gravel-voiced Batman remained grim. 'What did I tell him about lead sarcophagi? I don't want to say I told him so, but...'
As for the Gaza Strip, this unearthed collection of kryptonite has added another dimension to its cultural heritage. Al-Otul mused whether this was the result of an ancient Roman defense initiative against invading comic book superheroes. 'Or perhaps it was their answer to the lead pipe plumbing issue. This certainly sheds a new light on things.'
Based on: Archaeologists unearth the largest cemetery ever discovered in Gaza and find rare lead sarcophogi