An ancient vessel discovered almost four decades ago by a pair of brothers has been dubbed a ‘Jesus Boat’, with experts believing it provides important details of life during the biblical era.
Many scholars believe Jesus Christ, a first-century preacher who serves as the central figure of Christianity, was born somewhere between 6 and 4 BC, as per Live Science.
Though we don’t 100 percent know when the religious man reigned, it’s widely believed that during his lifetime, he traveled through Israel, living in Nazareth, Galilee and Jerusalem, where he is thought to have been crucified.
The Associates for Biblical Research stated that, according to the gospels, Jesus often conducted ministry around the Sea of Galilee in northwest Israel.
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The Sea of Galilee, also called Lake Tiberias and Lake Kinneret, is a narrow depression and remains a popular destination for pilgrims.
In 1986, an ancient fishing vessel was discovered submerged in the fissures’ waters.
Although there is no evidence that this ship was actually ever used by Jesus and his disciples, it represents the style of craft common in the 1st century and is often referred to as the 'Jesus Boat', as per The Express.
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Amateur archaeologists and brothers Moshe and Yuval Lufan are understood to have recovered the watercraft during a severe drought.
12 days after initially alerting the Israel Antiquities Authority to their find, the 2,000-year-old Jesus Boat was unveiled by archaeologists working around the clock.
The Mirror US reported that the 27-foot-long by 7.5-foot wide vessel’s flat-bottomed design was engineered for it to sail close to shallow waters near the shore for fishing purposes.
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The outlet also claims the vessel, which is now on display at the Yigal Alon Museum in Kibbutz Ginosar, was constructed from ten types of wood, including cedar planks.
Historians claim that the types of wood may give insight into the biblical period, indicating that perhaps there was a material shortage forcing carpenters and ship builders to make vessels from scraps.
Moreover, the style of the boat’s construction aligns with descriptions found in Roman literature, biblical texts, and ancient mosaics, The Express stated.
After archaeologists stripped the Jesus Boat of mud, the artefact was encased in fibreglass and foam before being relocated to the Israeli institution.
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The museum currently has the Sea of Galilee boat display alongside an informative display detailing its historical and cultural relevance, as well as its arduous excavation process.
Visitors of the Yigal Alon Museum also have the chance to embark on a guided tour of Lake Galilee in a modern replica of the type of boat Jesus may have used during his ministry.
These can be taken at sunrise, sunset and moonlight, as per Jesusboats.com.
Topics: History, Religion, Israel, World News
Ella Scott