In this gripping episode of Biblical Archaeology from the Ground Down, we delve into one of Jerusalem’s most evocative archaeological treasures: the Burnt House in the Jewish Quarter, a charred remnant of the Roman destruction in AD 70. Was this the opulent residence of Katros, the notorious high priest family lambasted in the Talmud for their corruption and abuse of Temple power? Join us as we sift through the evidence—from the pivotal stone weight inscribed “Son of Katros” to layers of ash, soot, and collapsed walls that scream of a fiery end during the Great Jewish Revolt. We unpack the house’s artifacts that paint a vivid portrait of priestly life: coins minted in the chaotic years AD 67-69, signaling the final gasps of Jewish independence; a Roman iron spear and sword fragments hinting at desperate hand-to-hand combat; stone vessels and heavy kitchenware crafted to defy ritual impurity, underscoring the family’s strict adherence to purity laws for Temple service; delicate glass perfume jars and imported pottery evoking a world of affluence; and the haunting human remains, including a young woman’s forearm, buried in Jewish tradition amid the ruins. These finds not only confirm the site’s Second Temple-era elite status but also illuminate the human cost of empire—offering profound insights into faith, rebellion, and loss. Tune in for a ground-level exploration that brings ancient Jerusalem’s final days roaring back to life.

Books by Dr. Graves available at Amazon. See the list here: https://smyrnaean.blogspot.com

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