Experts have uncovered the super rare find after completing searches in an area believed to be highly spiritual.
A rare marble artefact has been uncovered that could rewrite the history of baptism and change Christianity as the world knows it. Experts have uncovered the super rare find after completing searches in an area believed to be highly spiritual.
Archaeologists were excavating the remains of a cathedral in the ancient city of Hippos in Israel, near the Sea of Galilee. According to the gospels, Jesus’ earthly ministry centred around this area, making it a significant site in the history of Christianity.
They found an unusual object – a unique marble item featuring three hemispheric cavities which they believe used to hold three different oils. What makes the find so intriguing, is that in Christianity, when a person is baptised, they are normally anointed with two oils – one used before the water baptism and a different one used after.
But the new discovery indicates people used to be anointed with oils three times – and it could force historians to rethink the history of the practice. One researcher said the “unique find” could change the meaning of the religion.
Dr Michael Eisenberg, from the University of Haifa, said: “Near the baptismal font, we began uncovering remarkable liturgical objects. “Only after careful research did we realise how unique they are for understanding Christian ritual practices in the cradle of Christianity by the Sea of Galilee.”
After extensive examination and comparison, the team concluded that no known similar marble artefact exists and they believe the discovery dates back around 1,300 years.
They also believe it is evidence for a lost stage of early Christian baptismal rites.
“We suggest that the cups of the stone held oil, possibly three different types of oils, which may correlate with a local tradition of three–phase anointing during that baptismal rite,’ the study, published in the journal Palestine Exploration Quarterly, reads.
“Baptismal rites involved threefold immersions, and anointing was often made before and after the immersion, although the details of the rite were constantly changing.
“The use of different oils is attested in a few sources, but nowhere is it clearly specified that three different oils are used within baptismal rites.”