Archaeologists uncover ritual bath from the time of Jesus at Gethsemane

Fr. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, next to the ancient ritual bath. (Photo: Yoli Schwartz/ Israel Antiquities Authority)

A ritual bath dating to the time of Jesus has been unearthed at Gethsemane, the place where Jesus prayed just before his Crucifixion. 

The 2,000-year-old bath was found near the site of the famous modern-day Church of All Nations. It marks the first time that Second Temple period remains have been found at the site.

Excavators also found the remains of a previously unknown Byzantine period church dating back 1,500 years.

The remains were uncovered by workmen building a new visitor centre and foot tunnel linking the modern church to the Kidron Valley. The finds from the excavations are to be put on display at the visitor centre when it opens.

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