Massive 2,000-year-old discovery from time of Jesus emerges remarkably intact

A remarkably intact 2,000-year-old Jewish ritual bath dating to around the time of Jesus has been unearthed in Israel — shedding light not only on Christ's life but also "illuminating the world of the Bible," according to a bestselling author and filmmaker.The mikveh, which dates to the Second Temple period roughly 2,000 years ago, was recently extracted from Kiryat Gat, an Israeli city roughly 35 miles southwest of Jerusalem.The structure had been uncovered during an archaeological excavation.The operation to remove it intact was announced by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in September.JESUS' CRUCIFIXION ACCOUNT GETS FRESH LOOK AFTER ANCIENT RING TIED TO PILATE IS REINTERPRETEDPictures released by officials show a massive crane lifting the 25-ton mikveh intact from the archaeological site.Mikvehs, or Jewish ritual baths, are traditionally used for purification.The ancient mikveh, seen at right, dates roughly to the time of Jesus Christ, when Jewish ritual baths were traditionally used for purification purposes.

(GraphicaArtis/Getty Images; Israel Antiquities Authority)The bath dates roughly to the time of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, who, as a Jew living during the Second Temple period, likely used mikvehs, though Scripture does not explicitly say that he did.The mikveh is evidence that a Second Temple-period Jewish settlement, previously unknown to scholars, once existed in the area, according to officials. JESUS’ GALILEE MINISTRY SITE REVEALS RARE, TINY STONE AFTER STUDENT'S SURPRISING FINDOfficials also noted that the excavation uncovered stone measuring vessels, which were widely used during the Second Temple period because, under Jewish law, they were not considered susceptible to ritual impurity.The ancient structure is eventually expected to return to the community where it was found.Mikvehs, such as the one recently found, seen at left, were used for ritual purification during the Second Temple period, when Jesus lived and carried ou...