Italian archaeologists discover the Jewish surprise Mikveh in the ancient city
A 1,600-year-old Jewish bath, also known as Mikveh, has recently been discovered in Italy-and the discovery is the oldest of its kind in Europe.
On March 10, Italian officials announced the discovery, which was found on the archaeological site of Ostia Antica last summer.
In a declaration translated from Italian to English, the ancient Ostia Archaeological Park described Mikveh as a “small semi-underground room with a little below”.
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The photos released by officials show ancient stairs that lead to what was once used as a ritual bath. The passages show “remarkable traces of usury”, according to the declaration and are “supported by two masonry shoulders covered inside hydraulic plaster”.
“In the north-eastern corner, immediately above the northern stump, there is a hole in the masonry, probably destined to host a pipeline for the supply of water,” says the declaration.
The recently discovered Mikvah, found in Italy, dates back to about 1,600 years. (Ostia Antica Archaeological Park)
The diameter of the well measures about 3.5 feet and is “crowned by a brick ring probably added later, certainly intended for the collection of underground waters”.
While archaeologists dug deeper, they also discovered a lamp from the VII or the seventh century AD – roughly the same age as Mikveh.
The lamp was decorated with the image of a Menorah and a lulav, or a palm branch associated with Jewish holiday Of Sukkot – and the combination of all the aforementioned discoveries indicated the use of the site as Mikveh.
“The walls covered with hydraulic plaster, the presence of a collection of underground waters … and the discovery of the lamp with Jewish symbols At the bottom of the well … leads us to hypothesize an interpretation as a Jewish ritual bath “, says the declaration.
A lamp with Jewish symbols was also found on the site, such as a Menorah and a lulav. (Ostia Antica Archaeological Park)
“Placed to people to immerse themselves (but also objects) for purification purposes, (Mikvehs) Generally they appear as rectangular basins, in most cases covered, dug in the ground and covered with hydraulic plaster, with a row of steps that occupy all their width, connected directly or indirectly to a spring, a well or a railway water collection tank “, the press release described.
Mikveh are used by Jews to reach ritual purity, as during a religious conversion, while cleaning the tools or while preparing for a wedding. The latest discovery is the only ancient Mikve of the Roman era found in Europe.
The only other Ancient Mikveh In Europe it is located at Palazzo Bianca in Syracuse, in Sicily, which was “probably built near the local synagogue between the VI and the 6th century AD,” said the press release. This places him after the fall of Rome in 476 AD, which the ancient Ostia Mikveh seems to precede.
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Although a few ancient mikvehs survive Europe, they undoubtedly existed. Historians say that the decline of Mivkeh can be indicated to the Roman persecution of the Jews in the first century.
Ostia Antica, which translates into “Antica Ostia”, is an archaeological site for the ancient city of Ostia. (Ostia Antica Archaeological Park)
“Amply widespread in Judea, Galilee and Idumea in the Herodian era, in particular within residential buildings, they gradually decreased in the 1st century until they almost completely disappeared at the beginning of the 2nd, in relation to the full Romanization of the region following the destruction of the destruction of the Temple of the Temple.
Alessandro Giuli, the Minister of Italian Culture, said that the recent discovery “strengthens the historical awareness of this place as a true crossroads of coexistence and exchange of cultures, Tolerance cradle between different peoples who have found their union in Roman civilization “.
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“It represents a single in the area of the Roman Mediterranean outside the land of Israel and attests to how deep the Jewish presence was in the heart of Roman times”, observed Giuli.
In a statement, Victor Fadlun, president of the Jewish community of Rome, said that the discovery led to “emotion and pride”.
The Jewish community of Rome welcomed the discovery of Mikveh. (Ostia Antica Archaeological Park)
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“It is the sign of a living presence, which has been perpetuated over the centuries and brings us today,” said Fadlun. “The demonstration of an identity that Many generations of Jews they managed to preserve, defend and improve.
“I thank those who have made a decisive scientific and financial contribution for this important result”.
