Unearthed Inscription Refers to Jesus: 1,500-Year-Old Artifact
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Chapter 1: Discovery of the Plaque
In 2021, a team of Israeli researchers unearthed a small plaque inscribed with a reference to Jesus, dating back approximately 1,500 years. Investigations are ongoing to better understand the context and significance of this artifact.
Ancient plaques serve as intriguing relics and are crucial for archaeological study. These artifacts often feature engravings that provide insights into the cultures, religions, laws, and daily lives of bygone civilizations.
For instance, in July 2023, a group from the University of Cologne successfully deciphered the script of the Kushan Empire, which once spanned northern India and Central Asia. Similarly, AI played a role in interpreting cuneiform tablets that date back 5,000 years.
Section 1.1: Significance of Ancient Inscriptions
Such tablets are vital in revealing the evolution of religious beliefs. The plaque mentioning Jesus was discovered in the village of et-Taiyiba in northern Israel's Jezreel Valley. This area holds significant eschatological importance in Christianity, often associated with the final confrontation between good and evil, commonly termed Armageddon—a name derived from the nearby city of Megiddo.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Inscription’s Details
Upon detailed examination, the inscription "Christ, born of Mary" was found inscribed in Greek at the entrance of a structure believed to be from the late 5th century AD. This inscription was likely a dedication to the church situated there. Dr. Leah Di-Segni from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who interpreted the text, noted, "It is a dedicatory inscription that was engraved during the foundation of the church."
The complete inscription reads: “Christ born of Mary. This work of the most God-loving and pious bishop Theodosius and the humble Thomas. It was built from the ground up. Whoever enters here, let them pray for them.” Di-Segni elaborated that the phrase was intended as a protective blessing against the evil eye, a common theme in inscriptions of that era.
Section 1.2: Understanding the Context
Di-Segni emphasized that the phrase “Christ born of Mary” served as a welcoming blessing, confirming that the structure was a church, not a monastery, as churches traditionally welcomed visitors while monasteries did not. Theodosius, mentioned in the inscription, is believed to be one of the early bishops in Byzantium.
Dr. Di-Segni further posited that Theodosius served as an archbishop in Bet She’an, highlighting his significant ecclesiastical authority. “This is the first evidence of the existence of a Byzantine church in et-Taiyiba and supports other findings regarding early Christian presence in the region,” stated Dr. Walid Atrash from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
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