Not a man after all: the burial of an ascetic led to surprising discoveries (photos).

In Jerusalem, Israel, archaeologists have uncovered a burial site that challenges previous notions of ascetic practices during the Byzantine era. It was once believed that a male monk was interred there, but recent scientific analysis indicates that the remains likely belonged to a woman, writes Arkeonews.

The burial site, located in Khirbat al-Masane near the Old City of Jerusalem, was part of a Byzantine monastery that operated between 350 and 650 AD. Among the excavated graves, researchers found a skeleton surrounded by large metal rings, each approximately ten centimeters in diameter and collectively weighing several dozen kilograms.

These iron shackles, typically associated with male ascetics, initially led experts to conclude that the burial belonged to a male monk. However, a detailed examination of the remains altered this assumption. Paula Kotler from the Weizmann Institute of Science and her colleagues analyzed the proteins in the dental enamel and discovered markers indicating that the burial was that of a woman.

This finding provides rare archaeological evidence supporting historical accounts of female ascetics in the Roman Empire. Records from the 4th century AD indicate that women engaged in religious self-discipline, and prominent figures such as Melania the Elder and her granddaughter, Melania the Younger, practiced asceticism within monastic communities.

While textual sources acknowledge female ascetics, physical evidence of their existence has been scarce until now. The presence of a woman buried with iron shackles serves as substantial proof that some women undertook extreme self-restraint in their quest for spiritual devotion, contradicting previous assumptions that such practices were exclusively male.

The location of the monastery along the Christian pilgrimage route to Jerusalem enhances its significance. During the Byzantine period, the city became a major religious center, attracting believers from across the Roman Empire. Monasteries served not only as places of worship but also provided shelter and guidance to travelers.

The discovery of the remains of a female ascetic suggests that women may have played a more active role in these communities than previously thought. This finding encourages further research into women's participation in the religious life of the Byzantine era and challenges historical perspectives on gender roles within ascetic traditions.

We also reported on a new understanding of the past. Archaeologists have unearthed five Roman statues in Turkey.