Archaeological excavation at the ancient city of Hippos, located near the Sea of Galilee in Israel, has revealed a remarkable Byzantine cathedral featuring a unique double baptistery and an enigmatic marble block with no known parallel in the archaeological record. Published in the Palestine Exploration Quarterly, this extraordinary discovery is shedding new light on early Christian baptismal rituals and the development of localized liturgical traditions during the Byzantine period.
The ancient city of Antiochia Hippos, known as Sussita in Aramaic, was situated on a diamond-shaped mountain rising approximately 350 meters above the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. As the only Christian city by the lake during the Byzantine era, Hippos held significant religious importance. Excavations led by Dr. Michael Eisenberg and Arleta Kowalewska from the University of Haifa's Zinman Institute of Archaeology have uncovered a cathedral complex that served as the religious center of the city, which boasted at least seven churches in total.
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Photogrammetric aerial view of the Hippos cathedral excavation site. (Michael Eisenberg / Palestine Exploration Quarterly)
The Only Known Double Baptistery in the Early Christian World
The most striking feature of the Hippos cathedral is the presence of two separate photisteria, or baptismal halls. According to the researchers, this makes it the only early church known to possess a double baptistery. The larger northern photisterion, which was part of the cathedral's original phase, was designed for adult baptisms and featured a round-quatrefoil font measuring 1.1 by 1.1 meters, supplied with flowing "living water" via lead pipes. This structure stands as the largest building dedicated solely to baptism in Byzantine Palaestina.
In contrast, the smaller southern photisterion was added later, following renovations around 590 AD. It contained a smaller font just 0.5 meters in inner diameter, with no drain hole, indicating the use of still water, and was likely intended for the baptism of infants and children. This dual arrangement suggests a sophisticated and evolving approach to the sacrament of baptism within the local Christian community, one that adapted to the needs of different members of the congregation.
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The rectangular marble block featuring three hemispheric cavities, found in the southern photisterion. (Michael Eisenberg / Palestine Exploration Quarterly)
A Marble Block With No Known Parallel
Alongside the baptismal fonts, archaeologists uncovered a rectangular marble block that has left experts puzzled. Measuring 42 by 17 centimeters and weighing nearly 24 kilograms, the block was crafted from high-quality Prokonnesos marble and features three hemispheric cavities carved in a row, each 14 centimeters in diameter and decorated with stylized lotus leaves. Researchers confirm that this artifact has no known parallel anywhere in the archaeological record.
Dr. Eisenberg and his team propose that the block may have been used to hold three different types of sacred oils for a three-phase anointing process during the baptismal ritual. While such a practice is not documented in written sources, the discovery suggests the existence of a unique local tradition that has been lost to history. "[The find] may open a portal to the development of baptism rituals in the early Christian world," Eisenberg stated, adding that "in different regions, distinct liturgical traditions developed, many of which are not documented in written sources."
Ancient columns standing at the Hippos Sussita excavation site. (Michael Eisenberg / Palestine Exploration Quarterly)
Treasure Trove of Liturgical Artifacts
In addition to the enigmatic marble block, the southern photisterion yielded other significant finds. A massive marble reliquary weighing 42 kilograms—possibly the heaviest found in the Holy Land—was discovered sealed with its lid intact, made from Pentelikon marble with three internal compartments and a small Maltese cross carved on its front. Alongside it, excavators found the largest bronze candelabrum of its kind discovered in Byzantine Palaestina, standing over a meter tall with a five-kilogram base fashioned with animal hoof-style feet and a Corinthian capital at the top.
These opulent artifacts highlight the wealth and devotion of the Christian community at Hippos before the city was ultimately abandoned following a devastating earthquake in 749 CE. The city had already been in decline since the Islamic conquest of 635 CE, when Tiberias replaced Hippos as the regional administrative center. The discoveries at the Hippos cathedral offer a fascinating glimpse into the religious life of an early Christian city and the diverse liturgical practices that developed across different regions. As researchers continue to analyze these findings, the mysterious marble block and the unique double baptistery stand as testaments to the rich and complex history of the Byzantine era in the Holy Land.
Top image: Aerial view of the Hippos Sussita excavation site on the mountain overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Inset; Marble block featuring three hemispheric cavities. Source: Michael Eisenberg / Palestine Exploration Quarterly
By Gary Manners
References
Eisenberg, M. and Kowalewska, A. 2026. The Southern Photisterion at the Hippos Cathedral and its Unique Byzantine-Period Liturgical Implements. Palestine Exploration Quarterly. Taylor & Francis. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00310328.2026.2634232
Phys.org. 2026. Unique double baptistery and mysterious marble block uncovered at Byzantine cathedral in Israel. Available at: https://phys.org/news/2026-04-unique-baptistery-mysterious-marble-block.html
TPS-IL. 2026. Rare Byzantine Find Near Sea of Galilee Could Reveal Lost Baptism Ritual Stage. Available at: https://tps.co.il/articles/rare-byzantine-find-near-sea-of-galilee-could-reveal-lost-baptism-ritual-stage/
