October 27, 2011
Biblical Archaeology
Archaeologists excavating near the Givati parking lot area in Jerusalem’s City of David have found a rare miniature prayer box of a Byzantine pilgrim to the Holy City. Measuring less than 1-inch square, the delicate bone box—probably a personal prayer object—contains two icon paintings surrounded by gold leaf. One image depicts a bearded man with dark hair wearing a white tunic; the other shows a female figure dressed in blue. It has been suggested the paintings are of Jesus and Mary.