In Israel, archaeologists have unearthed a cave in which, according to a Christian tradition, the family of Salome, the midwife of Jesus, was buried, reported the news portal of the newspaper Yediót Ahronót, ynet.
According to the Christian folk tradition, Salome, the midwife from Bethlehem who helped baby Jesus into the world, was buried in this place. According to archaeologists, they were buried in the excavated tomb from the time of the second sanctuary around the beginning of our era until the early Muslim period, the 8th-9th century AD.
According to experts from the Israel Archaeological Authority (IAA), an important person belonging to a wealthy family may have been the first to be buried in the cave used as a burial place, and then the burial place was revered as a holy place for hundreds of years.
The excavations in the central part of Israel, at the Lachish Forest, are jointly carried out by the IAA, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage Protection, and the Jewish National Foundation (Keren Kajemet), and are part of the "Road of the Kings of Judah" project, which explores the archaeological treasures of the region.
In front of the rock tomb stood a carefully constructed courtyard, in which a series of shops were discovered, where, according to the researchers, ceramic candlesticks were sold or rented. Several hundred, the 8-9 AD ceramic candlestick fragments made in the 19th century as well as (intact) pieces were also found in the former shops.
The 350-square-meter yard is bordered by limestone walls decorated with impressive carved motifs, covered with stone slabs and a mosaic floor.
The cave was first discovered by grave robbers about 40 years ago, and then its excavation began. The rock tomb is divided into several rooms, where the stone boxes for keeping the bones, known in contemporary Jewish burials, were also found.
One of the rooms was converted into a Christian chapel, and according to the crosses carved on the walls and dozens of inscriptions in the early Muslim period, this chapel was dedicated to the cult of "Saint Salome". Over time, the language of the inscriptions became Arabic, but Christian believers continued to pray in this place.
According to one Christian tradition, Salome was a midwife from Bethlehem who was called to attend the birth of Jesus. He did not believe that he was helping a virgin woman, so his hands dried up, and he was healed only after holding Jesus' cradle.
After the conservation and development works, the alleged cave of Szalome will be opened to visitors.
Source: MTI
Photo: Unsplash
