New archaeological findings in Israel are challenging long-standing Christian beliefs about the burial place of a woman associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Researchers now suggest that the Cave of Salome, once believed to be the tomb of Jesus’ midwife, may have belonged to a royal figure from the era of Herod the Great, Daily Mail reported.

Located approximately 30 miles southwest of Jerusalem, the Cave of Salome is among the most elaborate burial sites known from the Second Temple period. Estimated to be around 2,000 years old, the site has long been venerated by Christian pilgrims as the final resting place of Salome, the midwife mentioned in noncanonical texts tied to early Christian tradition.

This identification stems largely from the apocryphal Book of James and Christian traditions that emerged in the 8th century. The story describes a midwife named Salome who initially doubted the virgin birth of Jesus. According to the legend, her hand withered until she touched the infant's cradle and was miraculously healed.

As early as the 8th or 9th centuries, pilgrims began visiting the cave to honor this Salome. They would light oil lamps at the site, a practice similar to modern-day candle lighting in sacred spaces. Archaeologists have discovered hundreds of such clay lamps, along with inscriptions, confirming the site’s importance to early Christians.

Recent Research Raises New Questions

However, a new study led by the Israel Antiquities Authority presents a significant shift in understanding. Published in the academic journal ‘Atiqot,’ the researchers propose that the prominence and architectural complexity of the cave indicate it may have been used by the royal class of Herod the Great’s time.

According to the team, features such as finely crafted stonework, monumental paving stones, and decorative facades suggest the site was not an ordinary tomb. “Given its scale and grandeur, we propose that it belonged to the royal family or, at the very least, to the highest elite of Second Temple period society,” the study concluded.

This hypothesis includes the possibility that the cave served as the burial estate for Salome I, Herod the Great’s sister. Salome was a well-documented historical figure who held political influence during the era and played a significant role in courtly affairs.

Connections to Herodian Architecture Examined

Researchers draw comparisons between the cave structure and other major projects attributed to Herod, such as the fortresses of Herodium and Masada. These sites also exhibited grand architectural elements in remote locations, supporting the idea that the Cave of Salome could fit within Herod’s building legacy.

“Herod is also known to have built several grand structures in other remote locations, such as Herodium and Masada,” the study’s authors noted. The scale of the cave, along with its uniquely preserved features, adds weight to this interpretation.

An alternative theory posits that another royal figure named Salome—possibly Herod’s granddaughter, associated with the execution of John the Baptist—could have been the cave’s original occupant. Though controversial, this theory places the cave within the broader context of Herodian rule and elite burial practices.

Legacy as a Christian Pilgrimage Site

Despite questions about its origins, the cave’s later adoption by the Christian community is well-documented. Pilgrims seeking spiritual connection filled the chamber with oil lamps and etched inscriptions to honor “Saint Salome,” as mentioned in Greek inscriptions found inside the cave.

The name Salome itself, written in Hebrew as Shlomit or Shalom, was common among Jewish women of the Second Temple era. The ambiguity presents challenges in definitively identifying the cave’s true dedicatee.

Scholars note that other biblical figures named Salome could add further confusion. Some interpretations cite Salome as Mary’s sister, while others refer to followers of Jesus mentioned in scriptures such as Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40.

Debate Continues Among Experts

Boaz Zissu, an archaeologist from Israel's Bar-Ilan University who was not part of the recent study, acknowledges the significance of the findings but urges caution. "The claims demand more rigorous evidential support,” he said, noting that while the theories are intriguing, they are not yet conclusive.

The site was partially excavated in the 1980s, but only recently have discoveries and analysis reopened the debate. Reassessing artifacts found in and around the cave, including ossuaries and structural elements, helped fuel current discussions about its purpose and original ownership.

The presence of market stalls near the courtyard, believed to have sold or rented the oil lamps to visiting worshippers, further supports the cave’s role as a pilgrimage destination in later centuries. Yet these additions are considered to have occurred well after the cave’s initial use.

Historical Identity of “Salome” Remains Unclear

Despite mounting evidence pointing to a royal link, no definitive burial identification has been made. The Israel Antiquities Authority summarized the debate by stating, “Following the new excavation at the site, and findings at nearby sites, it is suggested that the grandeur burial estate belonged to a member of the royal family.”

Researchers continue to explore the possibility of discoveries in the cave or its surroundings that could shed light on the owner's identity. Until then, the Cave of Salome remains a rare and contested archaeological site, straddling both biblical lore and historical ambiguity.

As interest in early Christian traditions and Herodian architecture grows, so too does the significance of sites like this one, inspiring further exploration into the stories carved into ancient stone.