Excavations at the burial cave of Salome – who, according to one of the so-called Apocryphal Gospels, was the “midwife» who brought the newborn into the world Jesus – revealed that the site was an important Jewish tomb as well as a Christian pilgrimage site, archaeologists say.
According to the First Gospel of James, Salome questioned the Virgin Mary’s virginity and when he attempted to examine her, her arm became paralyzed. Repenting later, she took the Divine Infant in her arms with her other hand and then she was healed.
The work in the cave revealed a courtyard of about 350 sq.m. with stone slabs and mosaics indicating a family tomb for prominent Jews, according to the Antiquities Authority of Israel (Israel Antiquities Authority – IAA). They were found also decorated lamps and inscriptions testifying to the presence of Christian pilgrims.
“The conversion of the cave into a Christian chapel is surprising,” reports the IAA. “Judging from the crosses and dozens of frescoes from the Byzantine and early Islamic periods, the chapel was dedicated to Salome”.
The location, about 35 kilometers southwest of Bethlehemshe is known as Cave of Salome and will soon open for visitors.
Source: News Beast
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