Posted on 09/23/2015 10:35:48 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Israeli archaeologists had hoped to finally uncover the mystery of the ancient tomb of the Maccabees -- but they have been thwarted once again.
Archaeological authorities said Monday they had carried out another excavation at a site near Modiin northwest of Jerusalem to determine "once and for all" whether the tomb was indeed there.
The tomb of the family that led the Jewish revolt against the Greek dynasty of the Seleucids in the 2nd century BC is believed to have been among ancient Judea's most impressive structures.
"We exposed again the base of what survived from this magnificent building -- this is a rare and unique building -- but yet we didn't find the smoking gun, the hard evidence which would enable us to tell you that this is for sure the tomb of the Maccabees," said Amit Reem, an official with the project.
Ancient texts describe the tomb "as a tall, impressive structure surrounded by columns; it was said to overlook the sea and was built of fine stones and was covered with pyramid-like roofs," the Israel Antiquities Authority said.
An imposing building believed to be the tomb was unearthed at the site in the 19th century.
However, later work by French archaeologist Charles Clermont-Ganneau in 1871 found that "the purpose of the structure is unknown and it is Christian in nature," with mosaics adorned with a cross in the floors of the burial vaults...
However, the site is much larger that what had previously been uncovered...
Vaults in which sarcophagi could be placed and large pillars that could support another floor were discovered...
He and Reem say that the Christian building could have been constructed on the site that the Christians themselves identified as the tomb of the Maccabees.
(Excerpt) Read more at artdaily.com ...
Israeli archeologist Amit Re'em of the Israel Antiquities Authority at the site where a large mausoleum was recently uncovered a short distance from the central Israeli city of Modiin, during an excavation in search of the real location of the Tomb of the Maccabees, September 21, 2015. (AFP/Gali Tibbon)
related:
Cold case: Did archaeologists find the last Maccabean king, after all?
Haaretz | April 29, 2014 | Ariel David
Posted on 04/30/2014 11:14:08 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3150735/posts
the sectarian turmoil topic, for those who are into that kind of thing:
Archeologists Discover The Ancient Tombs Of The Maccabees, And On The Tombs They Find Ancient...
Shoebat | 9/22/15 | Walid Shoebat
Posted on 09/22/2015 7:14:57 PM PDT by markomalley
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3340128/posts
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