A rare archaeological discovery near the Sea of Galilee is attracting the attention of researchers, offering new insights into the rituals of early Christianity. Archaeologists have discovered a unique marble object in the ancient city of Hippos, an important episcopal center during the Byzantine period. The object, which dates back about 1,400 years, was found in a baptistery within a cathedral complex. According to the researchers, it consists of a rectangular block of marble with three hemispherical cavities and is thought to have been used during a previously unknown phase of the baptismal ceremony.
Hippos was once the only Christian city in the area around the Sea of Galilee, a region closely associated with the life and work of Jesus Christ. Two separate baptismal spaces have been identified within the cathedral: one for adults and another for infants and children, where the unique object was discovered. Experts believe that the three cavities may have served to store three different types of oils, used in a triple immersion baptismal rite. This is unusual, as previously known practices usually involved only two anointings – before and after the ceremony.
Archaeologist Michael Eisenberg of the University of Haifa, who collaborated with researcher Arleta Kowalewska, noted that the object initially did not seem special. However, after detailed analysis, its importance for understanding Christian ritual practices in this region was realized. “This is a unique discovery that can fill important gaps in our knowledge of one of the earliest and most sacred rites of Christianity,” said Eisenberg. He added that the find could help understand the evolution of liturgical traditions, which often differed from one region to another and are not always documented. The latest discovery adds to a series of important finds in Hippos, including a 1,600-year-old nursing home and treasures of jewelry and gold coins, confirming the area as one of the richest archaeological sites of the Byzantine period.
