Archaeologists have uncovered a 1,700-year-old stone engraving at Abel Beth Maacah in Upper Galilee, a site linked to biblical stories where Jesus is believed to have “walked on water.” The volcanic stone, inscribed in Ancient Greek, may reshape our understanding of the Roman Empire’s reach.
The artifact references Caesar Marcus Aurelius Alexander and names four officials managing Roman territories. Experts believe the stone marked the boundary between two previously unknown towns—Tirathas and Golgol—possibly connected to the biblical Gilgal and Golgotha.
Gilgal appears in the Book of Joshua as an Israelite encampment, while Golgotha is recognized as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. The 19th-century Lebanese site Turritha may be the lost location of Tirathas.
Professor Uzi of Hebrew University told The Mirror: “Finding a boundary stone like this sheds light on ancient land ownership and taxation, offering a real glimpse into lives nearly two millennia ago.”
In another major discovery in Galilee, archaeologists found a 1,500-year-old protective amulet known as “Solomon’s Seal,” believed to shield women and children from evil spirits.
Separately, in Jerusalem’s City of David near the Temple Mount, researchers revealed a 3,000-year-old untouched religious shrine. Hidden in rock, it features eight rooms, a standing stone, and an altar, likely sealed by ancestors of Jesus.
These findings offer fresh insights into the biblical and historical landscape of the region, deepening our understanding of ancient life during and before the time of Jesus.
