Have Israeli archaeologists uncovered the long-lost tomb of the Maccabees?

Fox ^ | September 22, 2015 | James Rogers

[NYer]

A large mausoleum recently uncovered in Israel may be the Tomb of the Maccabees, the celebrated Jewish family that led an uprising against the Greeks in the second century B.C. Archaeologists, however, are still searching for conclusive evidence that the site is the Maccabees’ final resting place.

The Israel Antiquities Authority, working with local residents and volunteers, recently excavated the site near the city of Modi’in, 19 miles northwest of Jerusalem, long rumored to be the Maccabees’ tomb.

Related: Board game pieces found in settlement built on Roman military fort

The Maccabees – Matityahu the Hasmonean and his five sons were from the ancient city of Modi’in. The archaeological site at Horbat Ha-Gardi is close to the Arab village of Al-Midya, which bears a similar name to that of the ancient Modi’in, and attracted nineteenth-century archaeologists.

The tomb is described in two 2,000-year-old books – ‘The Book of the Maccabees’ and the ‘Antiquities of the Jews’, which was written by ancient historian Josephus Flavius. Described as a tall, impressive structure surrounded by columns, the mausoleum was covered with pyramid-like roofs and was said to overlook the sea.

Amit Re’em, who managed the recent Horbat Ha-Gardi excavation for the Israel Antiquities Authority, told FoxNews.com that the tomb certainly bears a resemblance to the one described in the ancient books. “It was circled with pillars,” he said, adding that the tall building had pyramid-style structures on its roof. “People could see it from the sea, from [the coastal city of] Jaffa.”

An excavation of the tomb by Charles Clermont-Ganneau in the late nineteenth century revealed mosaics adorned with a cross on the floor of the burial vaults, prompting the French archaeologist to assert that the site is Christian in nature. The tomb was then abandoned by archaeologists until the recent attempt to reveal its secrets.

[NYer]

The archaeologist noted that the Maccabees had a place of honor in early Christianity, which could explain the cross decoration, and speculated that early Christians may have re-dedicated the burial tomb.

Catholic ping!

[NYer]

Ping!

[SeaHawkFan]

Hundreds, if not thousands of sites confirming the Holy Bible have been located and yet not even one Mormon ancient site has been found because there are none.

[freedomlover]

[lee martell]

Sorry Gov.,but the Maccabees have no direct connection to the Huckabees.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

Why the need to slam mormon...nothing proves Jesus is the Son of God but our faith opening our eyes, so pray they like your example and thus become more open to this wonderful mystery of the umseeable.

[onedoug]

I’m grateful that the Catholic Bible include the deuterocanonical books, among which is Maccabees I and II.

[Dagnabitt]

Archeologists describe the relics as "delicious" and "refreshing".

[yoe]

Also here: (MACCABEES, FIRST BOOK OF)

[Pollster1]

FYI

[jjotto]

This seems to be the same site that has been known as the tombs of the Maccabees, and has been a tourist attraction and pilgrimage destination for generations. Misleading headline.

[Grateful2God]

Because the Books of Maccabees aremenorahed in the Catholic Canon, my Mom and I put out a monorah every year and each day would light three candles and read from the Books. Hannukah was special because of the story of nightmarish oppression, the courage of Eleazar the Scribe; the Seven Maccabees and their mother; of the army of Judah Maccabeus and how God stood by His people against all odds. God and one is a majority! The story of the Purification of the Temple and the miracle of the lakhs was especially touching. Because these and the remainder of the Apocrypha were removed from the Hebrew Bible, as the extant copies were not written in Hebrew, (although fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls revealed these in Hebrew) their absence left a gap in Salvation History.
It is but a holy and wholesome thought that we should pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins...

An aside: My Catholic friends, the day began with news that Lawrence Berra, "Yogi" passed away today. I've been so down on the dumps about it... Can we include him in prayer? He was quite a man. I, for one, Adm going to miss him!

[Grateful2God]

Nor Charles Martel, though both names have to do with, “hammer” lol

[Unam Sanctam]

Quick, cover it up before ISIS destroys it!