Unveiling of Ancient Roman Ritual Bath Provides Insight into Jewish Living Practices
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In a fascinating find, the fragments of an antiquated Jewish ritual bath have been unearthed close to Rome—the earliest known unearthing of such a site outside the biblical land of Israel and its adjacent regions.
This sacred Jewish cleansing site, called a "mikveh," was uncovered during the continuous excavation of the ancient harbor city of Ostia. Founded by the Romans, Ostia was their first colony and played a critical role in antiquity, resting some 16 miles west of Rome.
"This marvelous discovery leaves us astounded!" Alessandro D'Alessio, the administrator of the Archaeological Park of Ancient Ostia, declared at a recent press event. "No Roman mikva'ot were previously known beyond the ancient Jewish lands of Judea, Galilee, and Idumea (modern-day Jordan), and this discovery confirms the enduring presence, influence, and significance of the Jewish community in Ostia throughout the Imperial era (if not earlier)."
The mikveh is housed in part of what was the Ostia Synagogue, erected towards the end of the 2nd century AD. It was situated in a small room adorned with blue plaster and seashells, backed by a row of columns.
"The unearthing of an ancient Jewish ritual bath, or mikveh, within the Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica, underscores its historical importance as a melting pot of diverse cultures and a bastion of tolerance between various peoples who converged under the Roman banner," asserts Italy's Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli.
Notable discoveries at the site included intricate statues, marble shards, and a decorative lamp featuring a menorah and palm branch, as well as an immaculate glass goblet. These artifacts date back to between the 5th and 6th centuries AD.
D'Alessio notes that the find serves as a testament to the deep-rooted Jewish presence that permeated the heart of ancient Rome.
Believed to have originated as a naval base, the historic city was safeguarded by sand dunes that shielded it. Most of Ostia Antica has been excavated, with only a third of the city used as a marble quarry during the construction of various palaces and Roman Catholic churches.
The most recent excavations, initiated by Benito Mussolini, were temporarily suspended during World War II and later sporadically resumed until 2022.
The ongoing excavation is part of a research project launched in 2022 by the Archaeological Park of Ancient Ostia, the University of Catania, and the Polytechnic of Bari, with the goal of exploring strategic sectors of the buried ancient city.
As outlined by strict Jewish doctrine, the mikveh would have been replenished with rain or spring water and deep enough for the full immersion of an average-sized man, explains D'Alessio.
Alfonsina Russo, the head of Italy's department for cultural heritage promotion, calls for the monument to be opened to the public immediately.
Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni, the chief rabbi of Rome, concurs: "Rome's Jewish history has been enriched today with another cherished monument that showcases their thousand-year-long residency and steadfast adherence to customs."
"The uncovered atmosphere is both practical and aesthetically pleasing," Di Segni remarks.
- The mikveh, a Jewish cleansing site also known as the Ostia Synagogue's small room, was discovered in Galilee-adjacent Ostia, Italy, providing creditline to its historical significance as a cultural melting pot.
- The unearthed artifacts within the Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica, such as intricate statues, marble shards, and a decorative lamp featuring a menorah, serve as evidence of the deep-rooted Jewish presence that influenced ancient Rome.
- The archaeological find of the mikveh implies that this Jewish ritual bath, traditionally filled with rain or spring water for full immersion, represents another testament to the enduring influence and presence of Jewish communities even beyond biblical lands like Galilee.
