Post by L Roebuck on Apr 15, 2006 9:27:21 GMT -5
John the Baptist Cave' Part of Complex?
By Jennifer Viegas, Discovery News
April 15, 2006 — Recent excavation of a cave site near Jerusalem has revealed once-full exterior water pools and a corridor that appears to lead to a second hillside chamber, according to archaeologists who believe the site was used in the 1st century A.D. by the Biblical prophet John the Baptist.
The 7th century construction period corresponds with what religious historians believe was the lifetime of Isaiah, a high-ranking Israelite prophet who is commonly regarded among followers of Christianity and Judaism as the author of the Bible's "Book of Isaiah."
The archaeologists therefore now suspect that the site, called Suba Cave, may have been used during both Old and New Testament times.
Landfill containing an Iron Age pot at Suba, which is 15 miles west of Jerusalem, recently was dated to 2,700 years ago. Broken water jugs and pillars in the 78-feet-long, 13-feet-wide central cave at the site date to the 1st century A.D.
Considered together, the evidence suggests the site may have been abandoned or shut down during the interim period.
The newly identified constructed features at the site indicate Suba Cave could be part of an extensive complex.
"Just last summer we found new pools outside up above the cave and a corridor, which our most recent dig shows is leading into what we now think is another chamber," said University of North Carolina at Charlotte archaeologist James Tabor, who is associate director of the excavation.
He added, "We're almost afraid to continue because it now looks like this is some huge complex, but now that we are into it, we can't stop."
Tabor told Discovery News that he and his colleagues believe the cave is linked to John the Baptist, a prophet to Christians and Muslims alike — for two main reasons.
First, he said drawings from the Byzantine Period in the 5th century A.D. appear on the walls of the cave. The main drawing depicts a "shepherd-like figure shown with upraised arms" who is wearing a "hairy garment." Cut into the wall opposite this figure is a drawing of a head, which the researchers believe symbolizes John's decapitation.
Second, the cave is located an hour away from Ain Karim, considered the hometown of John the Baptist. It is referred to as a "city of Judah" in Luke 1:39-40, according to the archaeologists. They previously also found a stone in the cave that they think was carved to hold a human right foot and a small jug that may have contained anointing oil or liquid.
Tabor described what might have taken place in the cave during John the Baptist's purported lifetime around the 1st century A.D.: "As best we can put things together, people would have gathered in the front of the cave and then some kind of ceremony was performed, with individuals standing within the stone circles and using ceramic jugs, perhaps to pour water upon each other before ceremoniously smashing the jugs.
"Subsequently, those who were gathered there immersed themselves within the water found near the back of the cave. On emerging, their right feet were anointed."
James Strange, director of graduate studies and a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of South Florida, told Discovery News that Suba "is likely a ritual cave from the Iron Age."
Strange added, "I do not think it would be necessarily part of ordinary Israelite religion, but a local variation, perhaps derived from some local Canaanite practices ... . I think the link with John the Baptist is quite tenuous and relies on the correct interpretation of the male figure scratched so deeply into the chapter and so high up on the wall. In any case this is very illuminating in terms of ancient Israelite local practice and needs complete excavation."
Tabor said he is open to other interpretations. He and his team hope to resume the excavation next summer.
dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20060410/johnbaptist_arc.html
University of North Carolina at Charlotte: New Discoveries Point To 'Cave Of John The Baptist' As Important Site In The Time Of Isaiah
By Jennifer Viegas, Discovery News
April 15, 2006 — Recent excavation of a cave site near Jerusalem has revealed once-full exterior water pools and a corridor that appears to lead to a second hillside chamber, according to archaeologists who believe the site was used in the 1st century A.D. by the Biblical prophet John the Baptist.
The 7th century construction period corresponds with what religious historians believe was the lifetime of Isaiah, a high-ranking Israelite prophet who is commonly regarded among followers of Christianity and Judaism as the author of the Bible's "Book of Isaiah."
The archaeologists therefore now suspect that the site, called Suba Cave, may have been used during both Old and New Testament times.
Landfill containing an Iron Age pot at Suba, which is 15 miles west of Jerusalem, recently was dated to 2,700 years ago. Broken water jugs and pillars in the 78-feet-long, 13-feet-wide central cave at the site date to the 1st century A.D.
Considered together, the evidence suggests the site may have been abandoned or shut down during the interim period.
The newly identified constructed features at the site indicate Suba Cave could be part of an extensive complex.
"Just last summer we found new pools outside up above the cave and a corridor, which our most recent dig shows is leading into what we now think is another chamber," said University of North Carolina at Charlotte archaeologist James Tabor, who is associate director of the excavation.
He added, "We're almost afraid to continue because it now looks like this is some huge complex, but now that we are into it, we can't stop."
Tabor told Discovery News that he and his colleagues believe the cave is linked to John the Baptist, a prophet to Christians and Muslims alike — for two main reasons.
First, he said drawings from the Byzantine Period in the 5th century A.D. appear on the walls of the cave. The main drawing depicts a "shepherd-like figure shown with upraised arms" who is wearing a "hairy garment." Cut into the wall opposite this figure is a drawing of a head, which the researchers believe symbolizes John's decapitation.
Second, the cave is located an hour away from Ain Karim, considered the hometown of John the Baptist. It is referred to as a "city of Judah" in Luke 1:39-40, according to the archaeologists. They previously also found a stone in the cave that they think was carved to hold a human right foot and a small jug that may have contained anointing oil or liquid.
Tabor described what might have taken place in the cave during John the Baptist's purported lifetime around the 1st century A.D.: "As best we can put things together, people would have gathered in the front of the cave and then some kind of ceremony was performed, with individuals standing within the stone circles and using ceramic jugs, perhaps to pour water upon each other before ceremoniously smashing the jugs.
"Subsequently, those who were gathered there immersed themselves within the water found near the back of the cave. On emerging, their right feet were anointed."
James Strange, director of graduate studies and a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of South Florida, told Discovery News that Suba "is likely a ritual cave from the Iron Age."
Strange added, "I do not think it would be necessarily part of ordinary Israelite religion, but a local variation, perhaps derived from some local Canaanite practices ... . I think the link with John the Baptist is quite tenuous and relies on the correct interpretation of the male figure scratched so deeply into the chapter and so high up on the wall. In any case this is very illuminating in terms of ancient Israelite local practice and needs complete excavation."
Tabor said he is open to other interpretations. He and his team hope to resume the excavation next summer.
dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20060410/johnbaptist_arc.html
University of North Carolina at Charlotte: New Discoveries Point To 'Cave Of John The Baptist' As Important Site In The Time Of Isaiah