Mythical or Real? Part 5
This week, we visit anancient trading center and a Biblical pool.
8. Steinkjer, Norway -
Norse sagas tell of anancient trading center that was, briefly, the largest in the Viking world, butno one knew where or if it had actually existed. In 2013, archaeologists foundsome intriguing evidence during an archaeological investigation conducted nearSteinkjer. Researchers uncovered two separate boat graves associated with awide variety of high-status trade goods, such as a silver button, a set ofbalance scales, imported jewelry, and amber beads.
These findings add tothe area’s rich archaeological record, which includes twenty-two examples of aspecial trade-related Viking-age sword. Taken together, these artifacts suggestthat Steinkjer was the major trading city described in the Norse sagas, andthat its center was likely where its modern church stands today.
9. Pool of Siloam,Jerusalem – 700 BCE
In the New Testament,Jesus returns sight to a blind man at the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem.Christians searched for the site for centuries before repair work on a waterpipe south of the Temple Mount in 2004 revealed two ancient stone steps.
During the archaeologicalinvestigation that followed this find, researchers discovered a 2,000-year-old,225-foot-long trapezoidal pool, which they believe to be the site where Jesusconducted his miracle. In addition to being an important part of earlyJerusalem’s water system, the architectural feature was also likely a ritualbath used by visiting pilgrims.
Careful extraction andrestoration work over the past twenty years have preserved the ancient Pool ofSiloam. It was opened to the public as part of the City of David National Park.
