Jason's Tomb

Jason's Tomb (Hebrew: kever Yason) is a Jewish rock-cut tomb dating to the first century BCE in the Hasmonean period, discovered in the Rehavia neighborhood in Jerusalem, Israel. It has been identified as the burial site of a certain Jason, possibly a naval commander, based on the charcoal drawing of two warships discovered in the cave.

Drawing of ship

Jason's Tomb

קבר יאסון
Entrance to Jason's Tomb
Location	Rehavia
Coordinates	31°46.388′N 35°12.788′E
History
Material	Stone
Founded	1st century BCE
Site notes
Discovered	1956
Condition	Preserved
Public access	Yes

Discovery and research

The tomb was discovered in 1956 and the authorities in charge of antiquities expropriated the site from its owners in order to preserve it.^[1] Levi Yizhaq Rahmani excavated it and published his findings in 1967.^[1]

The tomb is considered to date from the time of Alexander Jannaeus (r. 103–76 BCE).^[2] A ceramic assemblage found here was dated by one expert, Rachel Bar-Nathan, to no later than the 31 BC Judea earthquake, a date not readily accepted by everyone.^[3] Coins found at the site date to the first third of the first century CE.^[3] The tomb was finally blocked in 30/31 CE.^[3]

Description

The building consists of a courtyard and a single Doric column decorating the entrance to the burial chamber, topped with a reconstructed pyramid-shaped roof. Among the carved inscriptions in Greek and Aramaic is one that laments the deceased Jason: "A powerful lament make for Jason, son of P... (my brother) peace ... who hast built thyself a tomb, Elder rest in peace."^[4]

Another inscription states that Jason sailed to the coast of Egypt. Inside the cave are eight burial niches. To make room for additional burials the bones were later removed to the charnel space in front.^[5]

See also

• Jason (high priest)
• Rock-cut tombs in Israel
• Archaeology in Israel
• Umm al Amad
• Deir ed-Darb
• Khirbet Kurkus
• Tomb of the kings
• Tomb of Benei Hezir
• Mokata 'Aboud

References

1. Seligman, Jon (2011). "The Departments of Antiquities and the Israel Antiquities Authority (1918–2006): The Jerusalem Experience". In Katharina Galor; Gideon Avni (eds.). Unearthing Jerusalem: 150 Years of Archaeological Research in the Holy City (PDF). Pennsylvania State University Press. p. 125-146 (133). ISBN 978-1575062235. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020 – via worldhistory.biz.
2. Killebrew, Ann; Faßbeck, Gabriele (2015). Viewing Ancient Jewish Art and Archaeology: VeHinnei Rachel – Essays in Honor of Rachel Hachlili. Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism (reprint ed.). Brill. p. 215. ISBN 978-9004306592. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
3. Ariel, Donald Tzvi; Fontanille, Jean-Philippe (2011). "Chapter 11: A Relative Chronology of Herod's Coins". The Coins of Herod: A Modern Analysis and Die Classification. Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity (Vol. 79). Brill. p. 162. ISBN 978-9004208018. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
4. Jerusalem: Burial Sites and Tombs of the Second Temple Period: The Tomb of Jason. Ministry of Foreign Affaires, 29 June 1998. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
5. Jacqueline Schaalje, Tombs in Jerusalem's Valleys, Jewish Magazine, September 2001 edition. Retrieved 12 April 2020.