Ancient 2,000-Year-Old Jewish Ritual Bath Lifted Whole in Israel

A 2,000-year-old Jewish ritual bath, or mikveh, was carefully removed from an archaeological dig in Kiryat Gat, about 35 miles southwest of Jerusalem. The Israel Antiquities Authority used a large crane to lift the 25-ton structure intact, preserving it from damage caused by neighborhood development. Dating to the Second Temple period, the mikveh indicates a previously undocumented Jewish community existed in the area.

The excavation also yielded stone vessels, which were common in that era because they were not considered ritually impure. After construction is completed, the mikveh will be returned to the site and incorporated into an open public area. Commentators note the find offers a tangible glimpse into the world of the Bible and the broader cultural context of the time.