Caiaphas Tomb

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The Joseph bar Caiaphas ossuary (number 6) on the left, and the Shalom ossuary (number 5) as they were found in Loculus IV.The inner side of the blocked entrance. The entrance is 72 cm. high and 47 cm. wide, meaning that a person would have to crawl to enter the tomb. In front of the entrance is the standing pit which allowed a person to stand while inside the tomb. Distance from tomb floor to ceiling varies from 139 to 100 cm.; distance from the pit floor to ceiling is approximately 187 cm., almost 6 ft. 2 in.The interior of the tomb showing two ossuaries removed in antiquity from their loculi by grave robbers—Ossuary 3 on the left with the rounded lid and Ossuary 4, on which the meter-rod is resting, with a gabled lid. The meter-rod shows that Ossuary 4 is approximately 65 cm. long. Ossuary 3 is 50 cm. long, less than 20 inches.Close-up of the partially excavated standing pit, approximately 48 cm. deep when all the fill was removed. The lower part of the blocked entrance can be seen behind the pit at the upper edge of the photo.Caiaphas Family Tomb CoverThe carved decorations on the face of Ossuary 6. This is one of the most beautifully decorated ossuaries ever discovered, perhaps an indication of the importance and wealth of Joseph bar Caiaphas whose name is twice inscribed on it. The partial remains of six individuals were found in this ossuary, including those of a male approximately sixty years old. (The partial remains of a total of sixty-three different people were found in the Caiaphas tomb.) Dimensions: 74 cm. long x 38 cm. high.The entrances of Loculi II (on the left) and I, in the west wall of the Caiaphas tomb.Looking north toward Jerusalem from the Hill of Evil Counsel near Government House (U.N. Headquarters). This photograph was taken in April, 1971, before the Peace Forest was planted. The spot on the dirt road where the Caiaphas tomb was accidentally struck by construction equipment is marked in red. (Courtesy of the Israel Government Press Office)Map of the southeast part of Jerusalem showing where the Caiaphas tomb was found.

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