Jason's tomb
The grave of Jason is an ancient burial complex in the Jerusalem district of Rechavia . It is located in a small park on Alfasi Street.
Name and discovery
In the main room there is an Aramaic inscription that begins with the words "Make a great funeral song for Jason, the son of P [...]". An identification with Jason, the envoy of Judas Maccabeus , who traveled to Rome for negotiations ( 1 Makk 8,17-30 LUT ) is not possible, because his father was called Eleazar.
The grave was discovered during construction work in February 1956 and archaeologically examined by M. Dothan and IY Rahmani until May 1957. The pyramid-shaped, masonry tower was reconstructed and the inner courtyards were provided with protective walls on the sides.
description
Jason's grave was relatively far away from the ancient city when it was built, presumably because the family owned property here.
The tomb is a linear sequence of three open courtyards and an underground main room. This room has a facade with two pilasters and a central Doric column. Above was a pyramid of tombs (Nefesch).
A Greek inscription invites you to enjoy life in the main room:
ΕΥΦΡΑΙΝΕΣ ΟΙ ΖΩΝΤΕΣ
[Τ] Ο ΔΕ (λοι) ΠΟ [ν π] ΙΕΙΝ AMA ΦΑ [γειν]
“Rejoice, you living!
The rest is drinking like eating. "
On the west wall there is an incised drawing about 4 meters long: a single-row galley , on which armed fighters are already waiting at the bow, is pursuing two smaller ships. The Jasons family probably acquired their fortune through piracy. Several religious symbols ( Menorot ) are depicted on the opposite wall .
The main room opens up on the left to the actual burial chamber with ten sliding graves. In addition to the skeletons, archaeologists found household ceramics, oil lamps, jewelry and cosmetics here.
The main room also leads to a rear room that served as an ossuary .
history
The construction of the tomb can be dated to the Maccabees through coins of John Hyrcanus I and Alexander Jannäus . Two to three generations were buried here, a total of 35 individuals. Of these, only three were older than 40 years and 11 between 25 and 35 years of age. A young adult was buried here; the rest were children.
According to the excavators, the grave was robbed soon after the last burials. Additional damage can be caused by the earthquake of 31 BC. Have been caused.
In a sliding grave there was an undisturbed burial with 42 procurator's coins from Pontius Pilate .
literature
- Max Küchler : Jerusalem. A handbook and study guide to the Holy City. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 2007, ISBN 978-3-525-50170-2 . Pp. 1029-1036.
Coordinates: 31 ° 46 ′ 23.3 " N , 35 ° 12 ′ 47.3" E