In the ancient Greek city of Hippos in present-day Israel, archaeologists have identified a Christian cathedral with a feature not found at any other known early church: two separate halls for baptism. The newly uncovered southern hall also contained a mysterious marble block with three rounded cavities, which researchers believe may have held oils used in baptismal ceremonies.
The discoveries offer a rare look at Christian worship above the Sea of Galilee more than 1,400 years ago. Michael Eisenberg and Arleta Kowalewska of the University of Haifa described the findings in a study published in Palestine Exploration Quarterly.
Excavations begun in 2021 revealed a small baptismal font inside a southern chapel, adding to a much larger baptismal hall already known on the cathedral’s northern side. The researchers say the southern font appears to have been installed after renovations dated by Greek inscriptions to 590 or 591.
Ancient Greek city of Hippos had a Christian cathedral with two baptismal halls
The northern hall, known as a “photisterion,” a place associated with Christian initiation, had a font supplied and drained by pipes. By contrast, the smaller southern basin had no drain and required vessels to bring in and remove water.
Researchers suggest the larger installation could have served adults, while the smaller font was better suited to infants and young children. Having two halls may also have allowed separate baptismal ceremonies to take place at the same time.
Beside the southern font, archaeologists recovered a 23.7-kilogram (52.2-pound) marble block carved with three identical bowl-shaped cavities. Each could hold about 0.37 liters (12.5 ounces) of liquid. The block also bears carved lotus leaves and has no openings beneath its cavities.
The researchers found no known equivalent and suggest the cavities held different oils used for anointing during baptism. They say this remains a proposed explanation rather than proof that worshippers followed a three-stage anointing ritual.
A marble reliquary and bronze candelabrum survived the earthquake
Archaeologists also found a 42-kilogram (92.6-pound) marble reliquary, a container for revered remains, whose lid had an opening that could direct oil onto relics. Although empty when excavated, it suggests the room may also have been used to honor Christian martyrs. A large bronze candelabrum and marble screens decorated with crosses lay nearby.
Researchers have not established why the second font was added. They suggest it may reflect changing baptismal practices or a wish to perform rituals near relics.
These objects survived beneath debris from the earthquake that destroyed Hippos in 749. Much of the main cathedral had already been stripped of its furnishings, but the southern chamber apparently remained in use until the collapse, preserving evidence of its religious ceremonies.
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