A view of the interior of the Salome Cave, a 2000-year-old Second Temple-Period burial cave recently discovered in Israel’s Lachish Forest, on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. According to archaeologists, the cave was used during the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods, becoming known as the Salome Cave due to a popular belief that it was the burial location of Salome, Jesus’ midwife. AP Mava Alleruzzo
JERUSALEM – Archaeologists are excavating an ancient tomb traditionally linked with Jesus’ midwife in the hills southwest of Jerusalem, the antiquities department announced Tuesday.
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The artistically adorned Jewish burial cave complex originates from roughly the first century A.D., but local Christians eventually identified it with Salome, Jesus’ midwife in the Gospels. A Byzantine chapel was erected on the site, which became a pilgrimage and veneration centre for centuries.
An Israeli archaeologist discovered and explored the cave decades ago. Archaeologists are now excavating the cave’s huge forecourt as part of a historic trail development project in the area.
Clay lamps unearthed in a 2000-year-old Second Temple-Period burial cave known as the Salome Cave and recently revealed sit on exhibit in Israel’s Lachish Forest on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. According to archaeologists, the cave was utilised during the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods, becoming known as the Salome Cave due to a popular legend that identified it as the burial location of Salome, Jesus’ midwife.A volunteer takes a break from excavating at the Salome Cave, a 2000-year-old Second Temple-Period burial cave recently discovered in Israel’s Lachish Forest. Tuesday, December 20, 2022. According to archaeologists, the cave was used during the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods, becoming known as the Salome Cave due to a popular belief that it was the burial location of Salome, Jesus’ midwife. AP Maya AllerUzzo
During the Byzantine and Islamic periods, crosses and inscriptions in Greek and Arabic carved in the cave walls suggest that the chapel was dedicated to Salome.
Pilgrims would “rent oil lights, enter the cave, pray, and come out to return the oil lamp,” said Ziv Firer, the excavation’s director. “We discovered tens of them, all with lovely plant and flower arrangements.”
