guy Posted March 13 Report Share Posted March 13 (edited) Archaeologists have discovered the oldest Jewish ritual bath (mikvah) found outside the Middle East during their excavations of the ancient port city of Ostia Antica in Rome. One particular lamp stands out: it is decorated with a menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum that is one of Judaism’s most recognized symbols. The bottom of the lamp also depicts a lulav, a palm frond used in the Jewish festival of Sukkot. A recreation of ancient Ostia Antica Oldest Jewish Ritual Bath Found Near Rome Changes History Edited March 13 by guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy Posted March 14 Author Report Share Posted March 14 Quote Among the objects recovered during the excavation are oil lamps decorated with the image of a menorah (seven-branched candelabrum) and a lulav (palm branch), as well as a well-preserved glass vessel. These elements, dated between the 4th and 6th centuries CE, suggest that the mikveh remained in use until late antiquity. The Director of the Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica, Alessandro D’Alessio, explained that this discovery confirms the continuous Jewish presence in the city from the 1st century CE until the fall of the Western Roman Empire. This finding adds to the oldest known Jewish inscription in Italy, discovered in the Pianabella necropolis, as well as the Ostia synagogue, built between the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE. A Semi-Subterranean Jewish Ritual Bath Found in the Ancient Roman Port of Ostia Antica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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