06-22-2009, 03:17 PM
What was a quarry and may have been used as an underground sanctuary has been found in Israel. The presence of Roman legionary symbols might indicate that the cave was used by one of the religious sects (Essenes, Zelots, Sicarii) hunted down and destroyed by the legions during the Jewish Revolt of the 60's. Or perhaps it is just graffiti, like "Kilroy was here" left by soldiers wherever they have been.
Of course, the site has just been found and why the symbols are etched on the walls is pure speculation at this point. It will be interesting to see what more comes out of this find as detailed research is done.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_palestini ... VudGhvbHls
[size=150:3am9o2pj]Ancient Holy Land quarry uncovered, team says[/size]
Sun Jun 21, 1:18 pm ET
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli archaeologists said on Sunday they had discovered the largest underground quarry in the Holy Land, dating back to the time of Jesus and containing Christian symbols etched into the walls.
The 4,000-square-meter (yard) cavern, buried 10 meters beneath the desert near the ancient West Bank city of Jericho, was dug about 2,000 years ago and was in use for about half a millennium, archaeologist Adam Zertal said.
The cave's main hall, about three meters tall, is supported by some 20 stone pillars and has a variety of symbols etched into the walls, including crosses dating back to about AD 350 and Roman legionary emblems.
Zertal said his team from Haifa University first discovered the site three months ago while they were putting together a detailed archaeological map of the area.
"We saw a hole in the ground ... and went down and discovered this giant cavern, originally a quarry, built uniquely with hall after hall," Zertal told Reuters.
The team believes the stones were used in buildings and churches in the region, but Zertal said further research was necessary.
The site may eventually be turned into one of the largest underground tourist sites in the Holy Land, he said.
(Writing by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Michael Roddy)
:wink:
Narukami
Of course, the site has just been found and why the symbols are etched on the walls is pure speculation at this point. It will be interesting to see what more comes out of this find as detailed research is done.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_palestini ... VudGhvbHls
[size=150:3am9o2pj]Ancient Holy Land quarry uncovered, team says[/size]
Sun Jun 21, 1:18 pm ET
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli archaeologists said on Sunday they had discovered the largest underground quarry in the Holy Land, dating back to the time of Jesus and containing Christian symbols etched into the walls.
The 4,000-square-meter (yard) cavern, buried 10 meters beneath the desert near the ancient West Bank city of Jericho, was dug about 2,000 years ago and was in use for about half a millennium, archaeologist Adam Zertal said.
The cave's main hall, about three meters tall, is supported by some 20 stone pillars and has a variety of symbols etched into the walls, including crosses dating back to about AD 350 and Roman legionary emblems.
Zertal said his team from Haifa University first discovered the site three months ago while they were putting together a detailed archaeological map of the area.
"We saw a hole in the ground ... and went down and discovered this giant cavern, originally a quarry, built uniquely with hall after hall," Zertal told Reuters.
The team believes the stones were used in buildings and churches in the region, but Zertal said further research was necessary.
The site may eventually be turned into one of the largest underground tourist sites in the Holy Land, he said.
(Writing by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Michael Roddy)
:wink:
Narukami
David Reinke
Burbank CA
Burbank CA
