Experts say the slab probably dates to around 500 AD, when the Hebrew alphabet was used by Jews and some local Christian communities. Thissuggests that Kursi was either a Jewish community or a mixed Christian-Jewish settlement. Researchers could only discern two words: "Amen" and "Marmaria," the latter possibly referring to Jesus' mother, Mary.

Professor Michal Artzi, an archaeologist from the University of Haifa and one of the supervisors of the excavation efforts, said that while it had been assumed that Jews had inhabited Kursi, Wednesday's find provides the first proof.

"It is a rarity to discover proof of a Jewish presence on the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee. Up to now, we had nothing proving that Jews settled on the lake's shores during that era, other than in the town of Migdal," Artzi said.

Kursi is associated with the town of Garasenes or Gadarenes, where according to the New Testament, Jesus performed the Miracle of the Swine, in which he exorcised evil spirits from a man and cast them into a herd of wild pigs, which then rushed into the lake and drowned.

The excavation is being run under the auspices of the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, with the support of the Avery-Tsui Foundation.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Americans Split On Pastors Using AI, Skeptical It Can Help With Understanding the Bible

Daughters of the American Revolution to Vote on Definition of 'Woman' amid Criticism of Transgender Policy

FYI: These 568 Companies Are Paying to Trans Kids. A Nationwide Campaign Demands They Stop

'They Paid Me to Vote': Homeless Residents Make Explosive Claims after Spencer Pratt's Loss [Video]

America Becomes India's Top Gas Supplier amid Strait of Hormuz Conflict

Netanyahu: 'Iran Will Not Have Nuclear Weapons'

'Fauci, Biden Admin Lied to American People': DNI Gabbard Reveals Evidence of US Taxpayer-Funded Global Biolab Program

Human Trafficking Update: Feds Identify 15,500 Sponsors of Multiple Unaccompanied Kids

Ainsley Earhardt Celebrates America; Reveals Supernatural Experience That Strengthened Her Faith [Video]

Melania Trump Launches First-of-Its-Kind Foster Youth Accounts to Give Children Asset Ownership

Changing Tide: Record-low 38% of Americans Support 'Gender Transitions' - Gallup Poll

4 States Offering Pride Month Alternatives That Celebrate Family

PRO-LIFE WIN: Trump Admin Moves to Remedy Downfall of IVF

Karmelo Anthony Claims He's 'Penniless,' Can't Afford Lawyer for Appeal, Despite Pocketing $625,000, after Murder Conviction

Trump Says US Snuck 22 Oil Ships Past Iran in Covert Op, US Strikes Regime 2 Nights in a Row

Memphis Safe Task Force Surpasses 10,000 Arrests, Locates 154 Missing Children and Removes over 1,700 Firearms from City Streets

President Trump Signs $70 Billion Border Security, ICE Funding Bill that Includes Funding to Combat Child Trafficking

Report: Parents Remain Essential to Instilling Authentic Faith in Next Generation

Who Is Counseling Our Children?

Supreme Court Vacates Biden-Era Decision Outlawing Gas Stoves, Water Heaters