Ruins of 1500-Years-Old Jewish 'Purification' Bath Found While Digging a Roman City; 'Oldest Discovery of Its Kind in the World'

Ancient religious structures are valuable findings for any culture. The structures are symbols of the particular culture's legacy. Recently officials announced a discovery that had been made in Rome which shed light on the heritage of Jewish culture in Roman civilization, stated CNN.

Archaeologists have found what they believe to be the ruins of a Jewish ritual bath in the ancient port city of Ostia. Such baths are called 'mikveh' and are used by Jews for purification before their religious practices. The ruins were supposedly a part of the Ostia Synagogue, which was constructed around the end of the 2nd century A.D. This makes the ruins, the oldest 'mikveh' to be unearthed outside of the biblical region of Israel and its surrounding areas. 

The finding indicates the importance of Jewish culture in Ostia, a Roman colony and ancient urban center. "This is an absolutely extraordinary discovery," said Alessandro D’Alessio, director of the Archaeological Park of Ancient Ostia. "No Roman mikva’ot (the Hebrew plural of mikveh) were previously known outside of ancient Judea, Galilee, and Idumea (the ancient region located in modern-day Jordan), and it cannot but confirm the extent of the continuous presence, role, and importance of the Jewish community in Ostia throughout the Imperial age (if not before)."

Researchers noted that the bath was built inside a small room of the synagogue. One corner of the room had a hole that supposedly contained a pipe that filled up the mikveh, stated Live Science. The ruins were covered with blue plaster as well as shells. Archaeologists also spotted a series of columns in the structure, stated CNN. The structure is evidence that this portion of the ancient Roman empire was diverse in identity. People with different faiths possibly lived together in this region in harmony. "The discovery of an ancient Jewish ritual bath, or mikveh, which came to light in the archaeological park of Ostia Antica, strengthens the historical awareness of this place as a true crossroads of coexistence and exchange of cultures, a cradle of tolerance between different peoples who found their union in Roman civilization," Italy’s minister of culture, Alessandro Giuli shared.

Along with the ruins, archeologists also detected tiny statues and pieces of marble at the site. The team additionally spotted what appeared to be a lamp featuring an illustration of the menorah and palm branch and a goblet made out of glass in the synagogue. These items seem to be later additions, as they date back to somewhere in the 5th and 6th centuries A.D. Experts believe that the presence of objects in the religious structure, indicates that the site was possibly functioning as a Jewish community center, stated Live Science. "The mikvah is the sign of a living presence that has perpetuated itself over the centuries and shows us today the demonstration of an identity that many generations of Jews have managed to preserve, defend, and enhance," said Victor Fadlun, president of the Jewish Community of Rome.

Jewish religious guidelines suggest that during its active period, the mikveh must have been supported by rain or spring water, stated CNN. The guidelines further claimed that the bath should have been deep enough to allow the immersion of an average-sized man. Jewish religious representatives were happy with the appearance of another symbol showcasing the Jewish legacy in the Roman Empire. "The history of the Jews of Rome is enriched today by another, precious monument that testifies to their thousand-year-old settlement and the care in the observance of traditions," Riccardo Di Segni, the chief rabbi of Rome shared. He also supported Alfonsina Russo, head of Italy’s department for the promotion of cultural heritage in his suggestion to make the bath accessible to the public.