Caves May Harbor Lost Archives of Second Temple?

Teresa Neumann : Oct 3, 2012
Staff – Popular Archaeology

Archaeologists are reportedly on the lookout for the lost archives of the Jewish Second Temple, which were possibly hidden away for protection from Roman armies during the 1st century A.D. Revolt.

(Israel)—A team of Israeli archaeologists led by Dr. Haim Cohen are in the process of exploring two caves in the region of Ein Gedi near the Dead Sea that may contain remains of the lost archive of the Jewish Second Temple.

Cave 27, known as the "Mikveh Cave" or Cave of the Pool at Nahal David, are believed to house a ritual cleansing pool dated to the first centuries BC and AD.

"The building process [of the ritual bath] had very specific rules," said Cohen, who suggests the cave may harbor sacred documents or artifacts. "No metal could be used in in its construction because metal may have been used to kill someone. No pottery could be used to make the plaster because that pottery may have been used in a sacrifice to another God. The water must be part rainwater and part spring water." (Photo courtesy: The Origins Discovery Project)

Archaeologists are reportedly on the lookout for the lost archives of the Jewish Second Temple, which were possibly hidden away for protection from Roman armies during the 1st century A.D. Revolt.

It is believed the lost archives include title correspondence and deeds to land for the Temple among other things.