Photo via charismamag.com

First century Holy Land artifact popularized in the U.S.

A Holy Land artifact that dates back to the time of Jesus is expected to draw Christians’ interest in celebrating the roots of their faith, reports Charisma News Online.

Dubbed The Jesus Boat, the 27-foot wooden fishing boat was discovered by two brothers in 1986 in the Sea of Galilee after a drought. The vessel, dated to the first century, was preserved and put on display at the Yigal Allon Museum in Israel.

The boat is now being popularized in the U.S. through a book, documentary and series of church events, including one tonight at Calvary Chapel in Tucson, Ariz. A replica of The Jesus Boat is also on display at the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Fla.

“In every way this was a very special discovery—and a magic one,” said marine archaeologist Kurt Raveh, who helped recover and preserve The Jesus Boat and will speak tonight at Calvary Chapel Tucson. “Not because she’s the most significant scientific [discovery], not because it’s the most beautiful [boat] that we discovered so far from the ancient days. … I would say it’s got an emotional cargo more than an actual one.”

To read the full story, click here.

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TAGS: USA Holy Land artifact Christian faith Yigal Allon Museum boat The Jesus Boat

[07/10/2009]

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