Israel: first Jesus-era house found in Nazareth

Google ^ | December 21, 2009

[NYer]

NAZARETH, Israel — Israeli archaeologists say they have uncovered remains of the first dwelling in Nazareth that can be dated back to the time of Jesus.

They say the find sheds a new light on what Nazareth might have been like in Jesus' time — probably a small hamlet with about 50 houses populated by poor Jews.

Archaeologist Yardena Alexandre of the Israel Antiquities Authority says remains of a wall, a hideout and a cistern were found after builders dug up a convent courtyard.

Alexandre said Monday archeologists also found clay and chalk vessels used by Galilean Jews of the time — an indication the home belonged to a "simple Jewish family."

She says it's likely Jesus and his childhood friends would have known the house.

[wildbill]

I guess my impression is guided by Mark Twain’s diary when he vsited the Holy Land in the 1800s and found it quite barren in many areas.

But I didn’t want to get into an argument over trees between year One and now, especially if it has religious significance to some that Jesus be a carpenter instead of a stone worker.

I know that Israelis have been planting trees for years and years. MOst fruitwood trees such as olive and dates aren’t very good for carpentering.

[TASMANIANRED]

The paralax distortion on that photo is disturbing.