A new study reveals that oil lamps, ancient human skulls, and weapon parts kept inside a cave close to Jerusalem signify that the area was utilized during the Roman era for attempts to talk to the dead.
Evidence of Necromancy Found in Cave Near Jerusalem
Live Science reports that the researchers think that these eerie rituals and practices were performed from A.D. 200 to 400 in Te'omim cave, which is situated around 20 miles west of Jerusalem.
Archaeologists Boaz Zissu from Israel's Bar-Ilan University and Eitan Klein from Israel Antiquities Authority conducted a study published in the Harvard Theological Review. It details items found within the cave, namely, over 120 oil lamps, an ax, and spear blades, as well as three human craniums.
Insider adds that according to the archaeologists, each lamp was deliberately placed in deep and narrow crevices under the rubble or in the primary chamber walls. Some of these crevices had oil lamp groups combined with pottery vessels and weapons from earlier times or that were placed alongside human skulls.
Since ancient times, the cave has been visited by various individuals. It was also used as a hideout for Jewish revels when the Bar Kokhba revolt, the Jewish rebellion, took place.
Excavations enabled the researchers to find three hoards of silver and gold coins that date back to the period. A rare calcite-alabaster rock seam was also quarried from the cave at one particular time.
The oil lamp and hidden coin styles posit that the cave turned into a necromancy site when new dwellers brought their own rituals with them.
Necromancy: 'Death Magic' Practice
Archaeologist Zissu notes that most Jews who resided in the region ended up being driven away or eradicated by the Roman Empire following the Bar Kokhba revolt, which took place in A.D. 132 to 136. The area was then repopulated by Romans who were from other regions of the empire, which were likely Egypt, Anatolia, and Syria.
Zissu explains to Live Science that a new pagan group arrived in what used to be Judah. They brought fresh customs and ideas, apparently including necromancy.
The practice of necromancy was considered evil, Live Science reports. It was typically banned across the Roman Empire. Despite this, there were several prehistoric cities situated close to hidden oracle sites where people assumed they could talk to the dead. The cave was one of these areas.
Zissu explains that perfect conditions were spotted there, as the area is quite remote but not too far from the primary road. It is also deep, but not too deep. On top of this, the cave also had a deep shaft that was thought to be a link to the underworld.
He adds that the crevices were far too deep for the lamps to cast significant light. At first, the researchers thought that these findings pointed to Chthonic worship, which involves practices linked to spirits of the underworld. However, the craniums, which were also found in the crevices, posit that the main purpose was to talk to the deceased, who were thought to have the capacity to foretell what's to come.
At times, bones were used to try to make contact with the person after they died. Flames that are flickering could also be seen as messages relayed from the underworld, the authors explain.
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