Has the lost Biblical town of Dalmanutha been found?
Today we reported on the discovery of a 2,000-year-old mansion at Jerusalem’s Mount Zion, which is believed to have belonged to a member of the Sadducees class, whom Jesus criticised for their wealth. Now, in another significant discovery, the same archaeological team believe they have found the lost Biblical town of Dalmanutha where Jesus is thought to have stayed following the feeding of the 5,000 miracle.
The town was uncovered in Israel’s Ginosar Valley on the northwest coast of the Sea of Galilee, which is described in the Gospel of Mark as the location of Jesus’ next journey after the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 where he is said to have fed a large group of people with less than seven loaves of bread and two fish.
Archaeologists found pottery remains, vessel glasses, and Roman column fragments indicating a town flourished in the area of what is now the modern-day town of Migdal (Magdala). A 2,000-year-old boat found in 1986 on a nearby shoreline also supports the view that the town was once a prosperous fishing hub.
“Stone anchors along with the access to beaches suitable for landing boats and of course, the first-century boat… all imply an involvement with fishing,” said Ken Dark, of the University of Reading, who led the archaeological team.
The town is only mentioned once in the Gospel of Mark, which states that after feeding 5,000 people Jesus sailed to Dalmanutha, where he was questioned by the Pharisees and asked to provide a sign from heaven.
Dalmanutha is also thought to be the home town of Mary Magdalene.
