10 recently discovered artifacts that are changing the perception of ancient religions

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Since ancient times, thousands of religions, cults and beliefs have evolved along with humanity. The study of ancient sanctuaries and artifacts allows archaeologists to confirm facts that were mentioned only in the scriptures and to learn more about extinct religions.

1. Page from "Sarum Ordinal"

EnglandWhen librarian Erica Delbecue from the British University of Reading found a page hidden in the archives, she immediately knew that it was something extraordinary. In the end, it turned out to be an incredibly rare page from the liturgical book Sarum Ordinal or Sarum Pye, printed by William Cuckston, who created the first printing press in England. The book, printed between 1476 and 1477, was a reference book written in Latin.

It was compiled by Saint Osmund, bishop of the 11th century, as a guide to priests regarding clothing and biblical texts to be used during religious festivals. At some point, a page was torn from a now-lost book and used to reinforce the binding of another book. It remained there for 300 years, until a librarian discovered it in 1820 and carefully disconnected it. However, where this page originally came from was not known for another 200 years.

2. Stone pedestal of Pkeein

IsraelIn the Western Galilee there is a city of Pkeein, which is about 2000 years old. During the recent renovation of an ancient synagogue, a large artifact was found in this city. Inside the synagogue courtyard, a stone was found, similar to the base of a statue, on which there were two Hebrew inscriptions. The 1800-year-old "plinth" was carved during the Roman Empire.

Researchers examined the engravings on it and concluded that it was a list of the names of those who donated to the synagogue. Although Pkeein is inextricably linked with Jewish history and occupies an essential place in it, archaeologists still argue as to whether this particular place is mentioned in ancient texts. Some experts believe the stone is proof of this.

3. Early Buddhist temple Lumbini

NepalLegend has it that Buddha was born under a tree in Lumbini (modern Nepal) either in 623 BC or 400 BC. (different schools say differently). Most Buddhists lean towards the latter date. By 249 BC. Lumbini was already one of the most sacred places in religion. Recently, archaeologists have begun excavations under the central shrine in this settlement (the Maya Devi temple). They were stunned to find that the brick building was standing on an old wooden structure.

Moreover, this design was almost identical to the later shrine, and in the center of it in ancient times there was a tree. The clay floor of the ancient sanctuary was simply worn out by the feet of the pilgrims. Scientific research has determined that this sacred tree (bodhigara) dates from 550 BC. And this could lead to a revision of the date of the Buddha's birth by more than a century.

4. The mother-of-pearl menorah of Caesarea

IsraelIn 2017, excavations of the ancient Roman city of Caesarea in Israel are being actively carried out. King Herod built a temple in this city in the first century BC and dedicated it to his patron Octavian Augustus. At that time, the temple was one of the central structures of the port of Caesarea. Today, during the excavations of this structure, a small mother-of-pearl tile was found. A menorah, a six-branched candlestick, was carved on its surface.

An artifact like this was unique because of its precious material and Jewish iconography on it. Experts are almost certain that this tile was once part of a box that likely contained a Torah scroll. This handwritten text of the Pentateuch of Moses is fundamental to the Jewish religion. The 1,500-year-old carvings were created at the end of the Roman-Byzantine era, showing that Caesarea had a Jewish population at that time.

5. Mithraism in Corsica

FranceMithra was a mysterious Indo-Iranian god whose followers got along well with Christians in the Western world. Christianity is well documented, but almost nothing is known about the Mysteries of Mithra (the cult of this god), except that this primitive religion worshiped a single deity in underground sanctuaries. Recently, one of these sanctuaries, which is perhaps the best opportunity to study this cult, was found in Corsica.

In 2016, archaeologists began excavations near Mariana, a former Roman city founded around 100 BC. At the same time, for the first time in Corsica, the chamber of the underground sanctuary of Mithraism was discovered. The artifacts found in it ranged from oil lamps and ceramics to rare marble tables depicting Mithras himself sacrificing a bull.

6. Luxor Burial Garden

EgyptEgyptologists have long suspected the existence of gardens for the dead. Inside ancient tombs, frescoes sometimes depict such gardens. Finally, in 2017, a similar one was discovered at the Dra Abu el-Negga necropolis in Luxor (ancient Thebes). Found near the entrance to the 4000-year-old grave, the garden was a neat rectangular structure measuring 3 x 2 meters and half a meter high. Inside, it was divided into rows of cells with an area of 30 square centimeters each.

The central cells of this garden were located above the rest. Scientists speculate that two trees could have grown on them. In the corner of the former garden, there is a withered tamarisk bush, and under it is a bowl of fruit (perhaps they were put there for ritual purposes). The unique burial garden was made around the time when the kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt were united.

7. Castulian patena

SpainArchaeologists excavating the ancient city of Castulo in southern Spain found glass fragments dating back to the 4th century with images in the ruins. When they were put together, it turned out that about 20 percent of the artifact was missing, but it was already possible to determine that it was a patena - a glass dish that is used during the church liturgy.

Most of all, archaeologists were shocked that the image of a beardless Jesus in a Roman toga was painted on the shards. With him were the apostles Paul and Peter, also clean-shaven and wrapped in togas. Each person's hair was cut short. This discovery could force a rewrite of the history of religion in Spain and how much Roman culture influenced early Christian art.

8. Connecticut mikvah

USAWhen ancient mikvah (Jewish ritual bath) expert Stuart Miller asked to visit a 19th century Connecticut farming community, he clearly did not expect to find a traditional baptismal font there. Historians previously believed that Jewish immigrants who came to the United States abandoned their religious traditions.

But Miller found a mikvah in the basement, and not a modern one in the form of a tiled pool, but a "traditional" one - stone, with a concrete floor and a wooden staircase. Obviously, the Jewish community in Chesterfield has not abandoned all ancient rules and has retained one of its most ancient rituals.

9. Lachish City Gate

IsraelAccording to the Hebrew Bible, King Hezekiah of Judah despised false idols, and he destroyed everything associated with his father's "ungodly beliefs". Several decades ago, during the excavation of the ancient city of Lachish, the city gate was found. It was a structure measuring 24.5 x 24.5 meters and a height of 4 meters.

According to the Bible, the Lachish Gate was an important social center where the urban elite loved to relax on benches. There were six rooms in the building, and the gate was clearly used as a sanctuary (in one of the rooms upstairs, the researchers found two altars).

10. Bone from the crucifixion

IsraelOnce upon a time, the Romans executed thousands of people by crucifixion. This fact is well documented, but so far not a single physical evidence of crucifixion has been found (no crosses, no skeletons with injuries, which would indicate that a person was nailed to a cross). Finally, archaeologists at the Israel Museum have found the skeleton of a young Jew with evidence that he was crucified 2,000 years ago.

However, unexpectedly for everyone, a new crucifixion technique was discovered - an iron nail was driven deep into the heel bone. Contrary to how crucifixion is usually depicted, this man's legs were nailed to two sides of a vertical post, and his hands were intact, which hints that they were tied with ropes.