A recent discovery in the Capernaum hill country
has been labeled as "St. Matthew's Tomb".
It is so recent, it is not in tour books,
or located with a web search.
There are variant stories surrounding
most of the burial places of the Apostles.
Many relying on oral tradition,
rather than actual identifiable proof.
The significance of the site highlights the beautiful
ARCH design that places it in Roman- Herodian times.
That is one of the gifts of architecture
from Roman Culture.
from Roman Culture.
Magnificent stone carving and craftsmanship
Early Jewish burial tradition was to place the body
on a stone burial bench (arcosolium) for a year.
on a stone burial bench (arcosolium) for a year.
Most burial sites were multiple use,
and after a year,
the family would collect the bones
and place them in a family ossuary box.
and after a year,
the family would collect the bones
and place them in a family ossuary box.
This site has multiple stone sarcophagus with lids.
Though the exact owner of the burial site
may not be known for sure,
it is a great example of carving
that would have been costly to order
as a family burial site.
So, a site like this would have been held
by wealthy owners,
as most bodies were buried
in simple wood coffins.
Though the exact owner of the burial site
may not be known for sure,
it is a great example of carving
that would have been costly to order
as a family burial site.
So, a site like this would have been held
by wealthy owners,
as most bodies were buried
in simple wood coffins.
What we know about ossuaries
is that they were made of
is that they were made of
carved material, most commonly limestone,
and also from imported hard wood.
An Ossuary cost about a day's wages,
in the case of a simple, undecorated limestone box.
in the case of a simple, undecorated limestone box.
But a decorated stone ossuary would cost double that,
and a more expensive cedar wood chest
would be triple that price.
Since wood decays away,
archeologists have found
very few remnants of cedar ossuaries.
archeologists have found
very few remnants of cedar ossuaries.
We dropped into this opening in the earth
and found the burial site below.
You just don't know what you will find
in the country side in Israel.
Ancient stone carvings.
A piece of unknown history.
But, in these Lenten day reflections-
there is certainly the vision of hope,
that our graves do not Hold us Hostage,
because of Jesus we do have
eternal Hope.
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