Ancient Jewish ritual bath discovered under a home in Jerusalem

A rare 2,000 year old bath used for Jewish ritual bathing that may bare the scars of the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans has been discovered under the floorboards of a family home in the city.

The well-preserved miqwe – a ritual immersion bath used for cleansing before the Sabbath and holy days – helps to shed new light on the ancient community living in the area.

Archaeologists say the pool, which measured 11 feet (3.5m) long, 8 feet (2.4 metres) wide and almost 6 feet deep (1.8 metres), provides proof of the Jewish settlement in the 'Ein Kerem neighbourhood of Jerusalem during the first century AD.

A 2,000 year old miqwe bath has been discovered under a family living room in the 'Ein Kerem neighbourhood of Jerusalem. It has been hewn from the bare rock but had been carefully plastered, according to archaeologists. Tal Shimshoni, who discovered the bath beneath his living room, is shown above in the miqwe

They also discovered pottery dating to the same period in the bath and traces of a fire that they believe may be evidence of the destruction that occurred during the siege of Jerusalem in first Jewish Roman War.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3146085/Ancient-Jewish-bath-discovered-home-Jerusalem-2-000-year-old-miqwe-bears-scars-Roman-city-siege.html#ixzz3ejfgZDhx