Israeli archaeologists excavating 'Jesus midwife' tomb

TL;DR

Israeli archaeologists excavating ‘Jesus midwife’ tombJERUSALEM (AP) — An ancient tomb traditionally associated with Jesus’s midwife is being excavated anew by archaeologists in the hills southwest of Jerusalem, the antiquities authority said Tuesday.The intricately decorated Jewish burial cave complex dates to around the first century A.D., but it was later associated by local Christians with Salome, the midwife of Jesus in the Gospels.A Byzantine chapel was built at the site, which was a place of pilgrimage and veneration for centuries thereafter.The cave’s large forecourt is now under excavation by archaeologists as part of a heritage trail development project in the region.Pilgrims would “rent oil lamps, enter into the cave, used to pray, come out in give back the oil lamp,” said Ziv Firer, director of the excavation."

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