Tomb of Nicanor, Ancient burial cave on Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel
The Tomb of Nicanor is an ancient burial complex on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, consisting of two caves connected through a rectangular courtyard. The chambers contain multiple halls with niches for storing remains and show features from different building periods.
The burial site dates to the 1st century and continued to be used through Byzantine times, as shown by archaeological finds. It demonstrates continuous occupation across multiple historical periods until the medieval era.
Nicanor came from a wealthy Alexandrian family and earned mention in ancient texts for donating bronze doors to the Second Temple. His name appears on inscriptions that tell of his status in the ancient Jewish community.
The site sits on elevated ground and requires a modest climb to reach the caves and explore inside. Visitors should prepare for uneven floors and bring water during warmer months.
The site was discovered by chance in 1902 by a groundskeeper and contained seven ossuaries bearing bilingual Hebrew and Greek inscriptions. These finds reveal the multicultural nature of ancient Jewish society.
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