Posted on 12/21/2004 1:50:05 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
Among the roots of ancient olive trees, archaeologists have found pieces of large stone jars of the type the Gospel says Jesus used when he turned water into wine at a Jewish wedding in the Galilee village of Cana.
They believe these could have been the same kind of vessels the Bible says Jesus used in his first miracle, and that the site where they were found could be the location of biblical Cana. But Bible scholars caution it'll be hard to obtain conclusive proof — especially since experts disagree on exactly where Cana was located.
Christian theologians attach great significance to the water-to-wine miracle at Cana. The act was not only Jesus' first miracle, but it also came at a crucial point in the early days of his public ministry — when his reputation was growing, he had just selected his disciples and was under pressure to demonstrate his divinity.
The shards were found during a salvage dig in modern-day Cana, between Nazareth and Capernaum. Israeli archaeologist Yardena Alexander believes the Arab town was built near the ancient village. The jar pieces date to the Roman period, when Jesus traveled in the Galilee.
"All indications from the archaeological excavations suggest that the site of the wedding was (modern-day) Cana, the site that we have been investigating," said Alexander, as she cleaned the site of mud from winter rains.
However, American archaeologists excavating a rival site several miles to the north have also found pieces of stone jars from the time of Jesus, and believe they have found biblical Cana.
Another expert, archaeologist Shimon Gibson, cast doubt on the find at modern Cana, since such vessels are not rare and it would be impossible to link a particular set of vessels to the miracle.
"Just the existence of stone vessels is not enough to prove that this is a biblical site," and more excavations are needed, he said.
Based on the shards, Alexander believes the vessels found at her site were 12 to 16 inches in diameter — or large enough to be the same type of jars described in the Gospel of John.
Other evidence that might link the site to the biblical account includes the presence of a Jewish ritual bath at the house, which shows it was a Jewish community. Locally produced pottery was used at the simple house, showing it could have been from the poor village described in the Scriptures.
Stephen Pfann, a Bible scholar in Jerusalem, said that while the American dig has generally been accepted by scholars as the true site, the shards found in modern-day Cana raise new questions.
"I think there is ample evidence that both sites are from the first century, and we need more information to correctly identify either site," Pfann said.
Alexander has been digging in modern Cana since 1999.
The current find came in a last-ditch "salvage dig" before a house is built on the site. A Christian Arab family financed part of the excavation, in accordance with Israeli law, before construction can begin.
Alexander believes that with more substantial investment, the site could became a major tourist attraction and pilgrimage destination.
"We're really working very hard to save some of this site because what we do have here is a village of Jesus," she said. "And it was here that he carried out the first miracle."
No kidding. The reinvention of the Holy Land as the Holy Land Experience will be a big draw for visiting "Judeo-Christians" primed for a shrink-wrapped religious theme park. All of their pre-approved bottons will be pushed.
"...with more substantial investment, the site could became a major tourist attraction and pilgrimage destination."
It would become a pilgrimage destination if at least some of the shards could still transmute water into wine (even better if different shards produced different drinks: a martini shard, a "Manhattan" shard and so on). The resulting establishment would be immediately and hugely popular.
Yeah, and George Washington slept there too. Or was it Elvis?
There is something vaguely wrong about dubious data being used to "phish" for tourists by playing to their desire to visit religious sites. If the provenance of the stone vessels were better authenticated, I'd be less likely to so skeptical.
But false relics was quite the business at one time, back in the Middle Ages as I remember. Maybe 'tis time for 'truth in tourism'?
Quite obviously, I should imagine. Surely such jars were used by lots of people in those times.
What on earth is the fuss about here?
Was there only one house that could host a party? Even if the sites mentioned is the real Cana, how on earth can we know that's the one where the miracle took place?
LOL with the exchange rate at $1.92 to the pound at the moment, that's a real bargain!
If that statement isn't a setup with which they will later belittle Christians, then it is silly.
However, American archaeologi$t$ excavating a rival $ite $everal mile$ to the north have al$o found piece$ of $tone jar$ from the time of Je$u$, and believe they have found biblical Cana.
Elvis.
And how did you fare during the hurricane season? Haven't seen you around here much and thought I'd ask. What's the latest?
Same topic, different article
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That's what I would like to know.
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Neat!
At the top of their wine list will be a lovely Shard-O-Nay.
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The whole thing is absurd. Ther ewere probably thousands of places in Cana with those jars..Dunb article
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