| Revision as of 21:28, 24 November 2010 editSimon Burchell (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers57,611 editsm ce← Previous edit | Revision as of 22:55, 24 November 2010 edit undoSupreme Deliciousness (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers22,598 edits POV source claiming a cave in the West Bank is "In Israel", this is not neutral.Next edit → | ||
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| In 2009, ] archeologists discovered an ancient underground quarry located in the ], about 3 miles (5 km) north of ], ].<ref name=JP>Lefkovits, Etgar. , Jerusalem Post, (June 21, 2009).</ref><ref name=NG3>, National Geographic, (June 30, 2009).</ref> It has been described as "spectacular" |
In 2009, ] archeologists discovered an ancient underground quarry located in the ], about 3 miles (5 km) north of ], ].<ref name=JP>Lefkovits, Etgar. , Jerusalem Post, (June 21, 2009).</ref><ref name=NG3>, National Geographic, (June 30, 2009).</ref> It has been described as "spectacular".<ref name=JP/> | ||
| ==Description== | ==Description== | ||
Revision as of 22:55, 24 November 2010
  Shown within the West Bank | |
| Location | near Jericho, West Bank |
|---|---|
| Region | Jordan Valley |
| Type | quarry |
| Length | 100m |
| Width | 40m |
| Area | 0.4-hectare |
| Height | 4m |
| History | |
| Founded | 1st-century AD |
| Periods | Roman and Byzantine |
| Site notes | |
| Archaeologists | Adam Zertal |
In 2009, Haifa University archeologists discovered an ancient underground quarry located in the Jordan Valley, about 3 miles (5 km) north of Jericho, West Bank. It has been described as "spectacular".
Description
The cave is located in the desert north of Jericho, 10 metres (40 ft) beneath the surface. It spans more than 1-acre (0.4-hectare) and its main hall is supported by 22 pillars. Various symbols, including Byzantine crosses, a zodiac-like symbol and roman numerals and are engraved upon the pillars. A etched Roman legion's pennant indicates that it was used by the Roman Army. The cave was dug around 2,000 years ago and served as a large quarry during the Roman era. The chamber's run as a quarry likely lasted for about 400 to 500 years. It may subsequently have been used as a monastery and some believe it may have marked a biblical site which became sacred to ancient Christians. Others, while admitting the possibility that the cave could have been associated with monastic activity, claimed that the etched crosses alone cannot confirm the existence of a church, since they may have been made by random pilgrims which was a common phenomenon at the time.
Dr. Zertal, who led the expedition, contends that the spot may mark the ancient site named Galgala. Referring to the Byzantine era Madaba map, he notes a site called Galgala is depicted next to an inscription that reads "Dodekaliton", which translates as "Twelve Stones." The place is marked at a distance from Jericho that matches the cave's distance from the city. The map shows a church next to Dodekaliton and today the remains of two ancient churches are located near the cave. Zertal suggests that the meaning of "Twelve Stones" relates to the biblical verses that describe the twelve stones that the Children of Israel placed in Gilgal and may be understood as a reference to the quarry that was dug in the place the Byzantines identified as Gilgal.
External links
Photographs
Media
References
- ^ Ran Shapira. Discovery of giant underground quarry in Jordan Valley may rock archaeological thinking, Haaretz, (June 22, 2010).
- ^ Underground Christian Cave From 1st Century A.D. Exposed Near Jericho, LIFE, (June 24, 2009).
- ^ Lefkovits, Etgar. Huge Roman-era cave found by Jericho, Jerusalem Post, (June 21, 2009).
- ^ Photos: "Glorious" Ancient Chamber Found in Israel (3), National Geographic, (June 30, 2009).
- Photos: "Glorious" Ancient Chamber Found in Israel (4), National Geographic, (June 30, 2009).
- Underground Cave Dating From The Year 1 A.D. Exposed In Jordan Valley, Science Daily, (July 7, 2009).