Archaeologists uncover mysterious Christian artifact near waters tied to Jesus' ministry: 'No known parallel'
Hippos' cathedral had two baptismal halls, one for adults, another for infants and children
By Andrea Margolis Fox News
Published April 5, 2026 10:00am EDT
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Archaeologists have uncovered a one-of-a-kind artifact near the Sea of Galilee that may reveal new details about how early Christians practiced baptism.
The 1,400-year-old artifact was recently found in the ancient city of Hippos, a prominent bishop's seat during the Byzantine era, according to a March 30 press release shared with Fox News Digital.
The city was once the only Christian city around the Sea of Galilee, controlling territory associated with Jesus' ministry.
The marble bloc was found in a hall of baptism called a photisterion. It may shed light on "a stage of the early Christian baptismal rite that has until now gone unrecorded," officials said.
Hippos' cathedral had two baptismal halls: one for adults, and another for infants and children, which is where the new object was found.
Archaeologists uncover mysterious Christian artifact near waters tied to Jesus' ministry: 'No known parallel'
