An ancient city which may have existed more than 2000 years ago was found by archaeologists on the northwest coast of the Galilee Sea, in the Ginosar valley of Israel, is believed to be the biblical town of Dalmanutha. Similarly discovered two decades before in the shore of that town was a boat as old as the city. This boat found in 1986 but the newly discovered town could provide fresh information about what lies nearby.
Dr. Ken Dark, lead researcher from United Kingdom University Reading, Dalmanutha was the town where Jesus Christ sailed to right after the miracle of feeding thousands of people from a few pieces of bread and some fish.
The data gathered by the team points to some proof that the city was prosperous during its era. "Vessel glass and amphora hint at wealth...while weights and stone anchors, along with the access to beaches suitable for landing boats -- and, of course, the first-century boat...all imply an involvement in fishing," Dark wrote in the study.
The architectural and artistic remains also suggest that people who lived at the time were either Jews or polytheistic people. Moreover, it was also found that another town, Magdala, of the same era lies about 150 meters or 500 feet from the newly discovered city.
Whether or not it is the city of Dalmanutha from the Gospel of Mark of the New Testament, archaeologists are yet to confirm. However, Dark said that there is supporting information to believe so such as hundreds of pottery pieces believed to be created during the time of the Byzantine Empire, cube fragments associated with Jewish practices, and other ancient architectural remains. Researchers are able to tell that the city recently discovered is a big and thriving place during the 1st century AD.
The study was published in the online journal Palestine Exploration Quarterly.
