Discover the extremely rare seal of the Crusade

The Israeli Antiquities Administration announced that it had unearthed an extremely rare lead seal, dating from the famous Crusader period in history, at an ancient farm in the holy region of Jerusalem.

This 800-year-old seal was most likely used to secure a letter sent to a farm from a monastery located on the cliff in the Judean desert. This monastery was founded by the Holy Sabas ( "Mar Saba" in Aramaic) and was once home to hundreds of monks.

On the one hand of the newly discovered extremely rare seal in the image of Saint Sabas in the Byzantine Empire

"This is an extremely rare finding, since there has not been such a seal ever found," said the statement of the excavation officials of the Israeli Antiquities Administration.

This ancient seal is also known as "bulla" in Latin, referring to the lead seal attached to the Pope's decree. It consists of two hollow lead plates, cast together and have a split rib in the middle. The opening of the letter will cause obvious damage to the bulla, so it is used to prevent those who do not have the authority to break the seal.

On one side of the seal engraved by St. Sabas in Byzantine, beard and wrap a rectangular cloth around him as well as over his left shoulder (essentially the same as the ancient tongues of the Greeks). Saint Sabas's right hand was raising a cross up high, while his left hand seemed to be holding a copy of the gospel. The other side of the seal engraved an inscription in Greek, translated meaning: "This is the seal of the laura monastery of Saint Sabas" . (Laura monastery is an orthodox Christian monastery, there are many caves for recluse monks).

Researcher Robert Kool added: "The Mar Saba monastery seems to play an important role in the relations of the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the Crusader period, maintaining a close relationship with the reigning royal family. The monastery has a lot of possessions and wealth, which could be part of the monastery property during the Crusader period. "

The excavation area is sealed seal in southwest Jerusalem

The seal was discovered during 2012 excavations in southwestern Bayit VeGan district of Jerusalem. The farm area was built during the Byzantine Empire (century - 6 AD) and someone came back to live during the Crusader period (11th-12th century AD).

A document in the archives of the Holy Grail Church in Jerusalem mentioned that a farm called Thora was sold to Mar Saba in 1163 - 1164. The location of that farm was lost. Mark in history, but Mar Saba's seal can mount recently unearthed farms with Thora.