• An aerial photo taken by drone shows archaeologists working at the Tomb of Salome work at the Salome Cave in the Lachish national park west of Jerusalem, on December 20 2022. - Israel today unveiled pilgrims' lamps and other finds from the so-called Tomb of Salome, an early Christian burial site named for a woman said to have assisted at the birth of Christ. (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP)
    An aerial photo taken by drone shows archaeologists working at the Tomb of Salome work at the Salome Cave in the Lachish national park west of Jerusalem, on December 20 2022. - Israel today unveiled pilgrims' lamps and other finds from the so-called Tomb of Salome, an early Christian burial site named for a woman said to have assisted at the birth of Christ. (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP)
  • Clay lamps from the 8th century found in the excavation of a row of shops. EPA
    Clay lamps from the 8th century found in the excavation of a row of shops. EPA
  • Archaeologists work on the shop stalls that they say sold or rented the lamps. EPA
    Archaeologists work on the shop stalls that they say sold or rented the lamps. EPA
  • Christian religious icons left by recent visitors are placed in a niche of the cave. EPA
    Christian religious icons left by recent visitors are placed in a niche of the cave. EPA
  • The Second Temple-period cave was also used in the Byzantine and early Islamic periods, experts say. EPA
    The Second Temple-period cave was also used in the Byzantine and early Islamic periods, experts say. EPA
  • More of the lamps. Legend says the cave is the burial place of Salome, the midwife of Jesus. EPA
    More of the lamps. Legend says the cave is the burial place of Salome, the midwife of Jesus. EPA
  • An artifact found at the site is cleaned. AP
    An artifact found at the site is cleaned. AP
  • The Israel Antiquities Authority says the cave is 2000 years old. Reuters
    The Israel Antiquities Authority says the cave is 2000 years old. Reuters
  • Archaeologist Zvi Firer with some of the clay lamps. AP
    Archaeologist Zvi Firer with some of the clay lamps. AP
  • Religious icons left by visitors. AP
    Religious icons left by visitors. AP
  • The cave was recently uncovered in the Lachish Forest in Israel. AP
    The cave was recently uncovered in the Lachish Forest in Israel. AP

MENA

Archaeologists excavate ‘Jesus's midwife’ tomb in Israel - in pictures

Tomb of Salome lies in Lachish Forest, south-west of Jerusalem

The National

December 21, 2022

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Updated: December 21, 2022, 9:35 AM
Israel