Recent archaeological discoveries near Rome have unveiled the ruins of an ancient Jewish ritual bath, marking a significant find as it stands as the oldest of its kind located outside the traditional biblical regions of Israel and its surrounding areas. This remarkable site, known as a mikveh— a bath used for the ritual purification in Jewish tradition— was unearthed amid ongoing excavations in the historic port city of Ostia. Situated approximately 16 miles away from Rome, Ostia represents the first Roman colony and played a pivotal role as a major urban center during ancient times.
During a presentation of this major discovery, Alessandro D’Alessio, the director of the Archaeological Park of Ancient Ostia, expressed notable enthusiasm, declaring, “This is an absolutely extraordinary discovery.” The director emphasized the significance of the find, highlighting its pivotal role in reaffirming the presence and influence of Jewish communities in Ostia throughout the Imperial age, and potentially even before that era. Before this discovery, no Roman mikva’ot, which is the Hebrew plural of mikveh, had been found beyond the confines of ancient Judea, Galilee, and Idumea, areas that correlate with modern-day Jordan.
The ancient mikveh is believed to be part of what constituted the Ostia Synagogue, a structure that dates back to the latter part of the 2nd century AD. It resided within a small enclosed room, adorned with blue plaster and shell materials, and framed by a series of elegantly placed columns. It further illustrates the historical importance of Ostia as a location where various cultures, including Jewish communities, coexisted in an environment marked by tolerance and exchange, a sentiment echoed by Italy’s minister of culture, Alessandro Giuli. He remarked that the find contributes to the understanding of Ostia as a significant crossroads of different cultures and peoples that prospered within the vast framework of Roman civilization.
In addition to the mikveh, a wealth of other artifacts was discovered at the site, which adds to the historical narrative of the community that thrived there. These findings included small statues and fragments of marble, as well as intriguing items such as a lamp adorned with the imagery of a menorah and palm branch, alongside an intact glass goblet. The latter two objects have been dated to the 5th and 6th centuries AD, which further enriches the historical context of the area. Alessandro D’Alessio also shared that the current findings are telling about the deep-rooted presence of Jewish life at the heart of ancient Rome, solidifying the community’s integral role in the city’s multi-cultural tapestry.
Ostia, initially thought to have served as a naval base, has suffered from the ravages of time but was remarkably preserved beneath layers of sand dunes that subsequently covered it. The archaeological site is frequently compared to Pompeii due to its rich historical remnants, of which only approximately a third has been excavated, as much of the city was later utilized as a marble quarry during the construction of significant buildings in Rome, including palaces and Catholic churches.
The latest excavations, although initiated during the regime of Benito Mussolini, faced interruptions during World War II and only resumed sporadically until more recent efforts in 2022. This fresh wave of excavations is being guided by a collaborative research project among the Archaeological Park of Ancient Ostia, the University of Catania, and the Polytechnic of Bari, aiming to explore various strategically significant portions of this historically buried city.
According to D’Alessio’s insights into the operational aspects of the mikveh, it adhered strictly to religious regulations, requiring it to be filled with rain or spring water and designed to allow full immersion for individuals of average size. The strategic importance of the mikveh, alongside the other artifacts unearthed, highlights a vibrant and active Jewish presence in ancient Ostia.
Officials like Alfonsina Russo, who heads Italy’s department for the promotion of cultural heritage, have called for the mikveh to be accessible to the public at the earliest opportunity. Observing the rich narrative drawn from these discoveries, Riccardo Di Segni, the chief rabbi of Rome, asserted that the history of Jews in Rome has received another valuable testament distinctly showcasing their long-standing traditions and commitment to their cultural practices. Di Segni further remarked on the functional and aesthetic aspects of the discovered environment, enriching the tapestry of Jewish history within Rome.