The house was built sometime in the 1st century, both the Byzantines and Crusaders thought it to be Jesus' home

Mar 2, 2015 08:04 GMT  ·  By

In a paper recently published in the magazine Biblical Archaeology Review, researcher Ken Dark with the University of Reading in Berkshire, UK, describes an ancient house that might be the place where Jesus, the central figure of Christianity, grew up.

The house is located in the city of Nazareth in present-day Israel, which is where the Bible tells us that Jesus spent his childhood years together with his mother Mary and his father Joseph. Archaeologists estimate that the construction dates back to the 1st century.

Construction-wise, there is nothing spectacular about the house

In his account in the Biblical Archaeology Review, scientist Ken Dark describes the house as being cut into a rocky hillside and comprising several walls made of mortar and stone.

Thus, the archaeologist says that the house was built by chipping away at a limestone hillside in order to obtain several walls and then using mortar and stone to create chambers. Check out the photo below to have a look at the remains of these structures.

While excavating the site, archaeologists came across bits and pieces of cooking pots and limestone vessels. They even found a spindle whorl which they say was likely used to spin thread.

Having analyzed the cooking pots and the limestone vessels recovered from inside this 1st century house, specialists found them to be of Jewish origin. Hence, it's safe to assume that the family that left them behind was also Jewish.

Unlike other ancient homes, this one is very well preserved

Archaeological evidence indicates that the house was abandoned just decades after having been built. Not long after, tombs were established right next to it and the site became a burial ground.

During the time of the Byzantine Empire, the house became quite popular and was decorated with beautiful mosaics. Besides, a church was built right on top of it. After the Byzantine Empire lost control of Nazareth in the 7th century, the church was abandoned.

Together with the house, it was restored to its glory by Crusaders sometime in the 12th century. This suggests that, together with the Byzantines before them, Crusaders believed this site in Nazareth to be the place of Jesus' childhood.

The house isn't exactly a new archaeological find

University of Reading researcher Ken Dark says that, shortly after having been restored by Crusaders, the church built over this 1st century house was destroyed in a fire. It was not until the 1880s that nuns at a local convent discovered the home. Come 2006, archaeologists finally got around to exploring the site.

Truth be told, there is no evidence to indicate that this ancient home in the city of Nazareth in Israel is indeed the place where Jesus grew up. Then again, specialist Ken Dark points out that there is no evidence to suggest otherwise either.

“Was this the house where Jesus grew up? It is impossible to say on archaeological ground. On the other hand, there is no good archaeological reason why such an identification should be discounted,” he said in a statement, as cited by Live Science.

Remains of 1st century house in Nazareth, Israel
Remains of 1st century house in Nazareth, Israel

Photo Gallery (2 Images)

Baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph
Remains of 1st century house in Nazareth, Israel
Open gallery