An ancient tomb traditionally associated with Jesus's midwife is being excavated anew by archaeologists in the hills southwest of Jerusalem, the antiquities authority said Tuesday.
The intricately decorated Jewish burial cave complex dates to around the first century A.D., but it was later associated by local Christians with Salome, the midwife of Jesus in the Gospels. A Byzantine chapel was built at the site, which was a place of pilgrimage and veneration for centuries thereafter.
The cave was first found and excavated decades ago by an Israeli archaeologist. The cave's large forecourt is now under excavation by archaeologists as part of a heritage trail development project in the region. Crosses and inscriptions in Greek and Arabic carved in the cave walls during the Byzantine and Islamic periods indicate that the chapel was dedicated to Salome.
Pilgrims would "rent oil lamps, enter into the cave, used to pray, come out and give back the oil lamp," said Ziv Firer, director of the excavation. "We found tens of them, with beautiful decorations of plants and flowers."
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Ancient tomb associated with midwife of Jesus being excavated by Israeli archaeologistsAn ancient tomb traditionally associated with Jesus's midwife is being excavated anew by archaeologists in the hills southwest of Jerusalem, the antiquities authority said Tuesday.
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Ancient tomb associated with midwife of Jesus being excavated by Israeli archaeologistsAn ancient tomb traditionally associated with Jesus's midwife is being excavated anew by archaeologists in the hills southwest of Jerusalem, the antiquities authority said Tuesday.
Read more »
Ancient tomb associated with midwife of Jesus being excavated by Israeli archaeologistsAn ancient tomb traditionally associated with Jesus's midwife is being excavated anew by archaeologists in the hills southwest of Jerusalem, the antiquities authority said Tuesday.
Read more »
Ancient 'Jesus midwife' tomb to be excavated by archaeologistsThe cave was first found and excavated decades ago by an Israeli archaeologist. Its forecourt is under excavation by archaeologists as part of a heritage trail development project.
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Israeli archaeologists excavating 'Jesus midwife' tombJERUSALEM (AP) — An ancient tomb traditionally associated with Jesus’s midwife is being excavated anew by archaeologists in the hills southwest of Jerusalem, the antiquities authority said Tuesday.
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Israeli archaeologists excavating 'Jesus midwife' tombThe Israeli antiquities authority says archaeologists are excavating an ancient tomb traditionally associated with Jesus’s midwife in the hills southwest of Jerusalem. world israel jerusalem Jesus kprc2 click2houston
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