BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

Byzantine-era Bathhouse Unearthed Near Jerusalem

Bible and archaeology news

Archaeologists with the Israel Antiquities Authority have discovered a large, well-preserved Byzantine-era bathhouse in the Judean foothills about 20 miles west of Jerusalem. The bathhouse, which the archaeologists date to either the fourth or fifth centuries C.E., includes a frigidarium (cold room), tepidarium (warm room) and caldarium (hot room), together with a courtyard at the complex’s entrance. “It is possible the bathhouse was used by an inn situated on an ancient road; it might also have been part of a wealthy country estate,” said excavation director Rina Avner. According to Ravner, Byzantine bathhouses were a continuation of the Roman tradition of elite bathing, and similar bathhouses have been found at Latrun and Caesarea, also in Israel.

Archaeologists with the Israel Antiquities Authority have discovered a large, well-preserved Byzantine-era bathhouse in the Judean foothills about 20 miles west of Jerusalem.