A Nazareth house has been uncovered dating to the time of Jesus. Archaeologists in Israel say the remains of the house in the heart of Nazareth sheds light on the way people lived during the time that Jesus walked the earth. Read about it below and see photos of Nazareth through the years.
Nazareth
Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a house dating back to the time of Jesus. This is the first time that a house from that time period has been found in Nazareth. It is particularly fascinating as it is believed that Jesus of Nazareth grew up there. The Israeli Antiquities Authority said the home was found in the Jewish settlement of Nazareth and sheds life on lifestyle in that area during that time.
“The building that we found is small and modest and it is most likely typical of the dwellings in Nazareth in that period,” Yardenna Alexandre, excavation director for the authority, said in the statement.
“Until now a number of tombs from the time of Jesus were found in Nazareth; however, no settlement remains have been discovered that are attributed to this period.”
Interestingly, the discovery was made as part of an excavation preceding construction of the International Marian Center of Nazareth with is being built to illustrate the life of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Plans are being made to conserve and display the home’s remains as part of the center. The center is being built in the heart of Nazareth next to the Church of the Annunciation, which was built over the ruins of a church from the Byzantine period. Catholics believe that the church is built on the spot where Mary once lived. A cave just above the Church of the Annunciation is thought to have been the home of Jesus’ family.
During the excavations a wall from the 15th century was exposed. That wall had been constructed on top of walls that were part of the ancient building that dates to the time of Jesus. The Nazareth house that was uncovered consists of two rooms and a courtyard. There was a rock-hewn cistern in the courtyard for collecting rainwater. There was not much in terms of artifacts inside the home except for pottery fragments that date to the first and second centuries. There were fragments of chalk vessels that were commonly used by Jews of that time period. A camouflaged grotto was also found. Some pottery fragments were found within that chamber that were dated to the early Roman period. Archaeologists believe that pit was probably carved out as a way for Jews to protect themselves from the Romans during the great revolts in 67 A.D.
During the excavations there were also a number of burial caves found that date to the early Roman period.
It is in Nazareth that the Archangel Gabriel revealed to Mary, Mother of Jesus, that she would give birth to the Son of God and his name would be Jesus. She lived there, at the time, with her husband Joseph.
It is fascinating to think that the Nazareth house uncovered dating to the time of Jesus may have been the home of someone who knew his family personally. Perhaps he played with the children in that house as a child. It boggles the mind.
All of this just in time for Christmas!
Nazareth – Photos
