Archaeological Wonders of Israel – The Cave of the Coffins – more from the Holy Land part 6

One of the wonders of the Galilee region is Bet She’arim National Park, location of the ancient Jewish town of Bet She’arim, active during the 2nd-4th century AD, and its vast necropolis.  The show stopper is The Cave of the Coffins filled with scores of stone sarcophagi.  Bet She’arim is important as the burial site of Rabbi Judah the Prince, head of the Sanhedrin and redactor of the Mishnah.  The necropolis grew because others wished to be buried near the famous and widely influential Rabbi.  A subsequent post will feature images from other parts of the park.  For now, we’ll start with The Cave of the Coffins:

Bet She-arim – Far Left, entrance to the Cave of the Coffins

Bet She’arim

Bet She’arim

Bet She’arim

Bet She’arim

Bet She’arim – Inside the Cave of the Coffins – A vast necropolis with primary and side tunnels, sarcophagi and carved insets in the walls.

Bet She’arim – Note Hebrew inscription (lower right) on sarcophagus.

Bet She’arim

Bet She’arim

Bet She’arim – Many of the sarcophagi feature simple yet striking ornamentation.

Bet She’arim

Bet She’arim – Lower right is the Sarcophagi of the Hunt

Bet She’arim

Bet She’arim

Bet She’arim

Bet She’arim

Bet She’arim

Bet She’arim – Sarcophagi of the Mask