Rare Christian cross engraving discovered in Israel
Speleologists Mickey Barkal, Sefi Givoni and Ido Meroz were astounded to stumble across previously unknown engravings of a Seven-Branched Menorah and a Christian Cross, exploring some of the hundreds of hidden caves in the Judean foothills last weekend. Another engraving was found on the side of the cave which is believed to be a key, as well as engravings of other objects yet to be identified.
Meroz said: "We heard there are interesting caves in the region. We began to peer into them, and that's how we came to this cave, which is extremely impressive with rock-carved niches and engravings on the wall."
The menorah has a base with three feet, and represents the menorah that stood in the Temple during the Second Temple period, from 530 BCE to 70 CE, during which time Jesus was born and carried out his ministry. The cross was engraved near the menorah and probably belongs to the Byzantine period, around the fourth century AD.
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