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By Charles
R. Page, II
Jerusalem Institute for Biblical Exploration
December 2003
 The Kursi
Excavation team returned to the field to begin its second season
September 30, 2002. The excavation is under the direction of Dr. Vassilios Tzaferis of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Dr. Charles
Page of the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies. Continuing from the
previous season, Charles Page supervised the fieldwork in Area C and
Pinhas Porat supervised the fieldwork in Area D. They were assisted by
Karl Reed and Dr. Paul McCracken, both from the Jerusalem Center for
Biblical Studies. Our transportation coordinator was Zaki Sayyad from
the Mt. Of Olives in Jerusalem.
 With the
close of the 2001 season, we had discovered a well-preserved hot bath
(caldarium) in Area C, northwest of the basilica. In Locus 18, we began
to open into a second room of a possible bath complex to the north of
the caldarium. We decided at that time (September 2001) that we would
follow this direction in 2002.
 After our
on site orientation and cleaning of the area, we laid out our squares
and proceeded with the excavation. In Area D, we continued to probe a
subterranean chamber. In 2001, we were able to descend 2.4 meters to the
surface of the room. In 2002, we identified two additional rooms, and we
removed the fill from all of them. We were disappointed that we could
not find doors that might have connected these rooms with other areas.
These rooms seemed to have functioned as one-time monumental usage. In
the end, we closed the area and refilled the square.
 In Area
C, we opened two new squares north of the caldarium. We worked in vain
for the first week. We did not find any walls, and I was beginning to
think we were excavating in the wrong place. Originally, I had thought
to open two squares to the north and two to the east of the caldarium.
But I decided that we should follow the opening from locus 18. By the
middle of the second week, we found walls with a well-plastered pipe
and, eventually, a small pool which is part of a cold bath (frigidarium).
By the end of the second week, we had completely excavated the entire
frigidarium. In the room, we found a beautiful marble floor, a pool with
a bench inside for sitting and soaking feet and legs, and a bench around
the northern and eastern wall. There was no evidence of a tepidarium
(warm bath).
 During
the last week of our 24-day excavation, we opened two new squares to the
north of the frigidarium. We were able to lower the squares some 77 cm
(about two and a half feet). During the week, we exposed several walls
and flooring. In 2003, we will continue here and open addition squares
to the north and east.
CONCLUSIONS
 During
the first season (2001), we were surprised to find the bath (caldarium).
Our principal question was why was this here? Finding such a bath
complex in a monastic setting was unheard of. Yet, here it was. Thus
far, we have concluded that this bath must somehow be connected to early
Christian pilgrimage. The site was sacred to early Western Christians.
In subsequent years, we may find a full bath with a frigidarium,
tepidarium, and apodarium (changing room), and, perhaps, a pilgrimage
hostel of some kind.
 After the
2002 season, we began to think of other possibilities. Perhaps there was
a small Christian community located within the walls of the monastic
compound. If so, then the completed bath might have been used by the
people of this community. Perhaps we have a combination of a local
community and pilgrim center.
 During
the excavations, we found Persian swords, spear points, knives, and a
scythe (used for executions) in the bath. We also found coins, lamps,
many sherds from jars and pots, rings, and pieces of jewelry. A number
of very rare and unique pieces came to light after cleaning, especially
an extraordinary ring with the image of Jesus on it as well as one of
the best preserved sixth-century Byzantine coins.
 We know
that the Persians destroyed this complex (church, monastery, and
community) in 614. Here we found the first physical evidence of the
Persian assault. This seems to be the first Christian community
conquered and destroyed by the invading Persians. In 620, the Christians
returned and reclaimed the property. In 636, the Ummayads had assumed
control of Kursi, but they allowed the Christian community to continue
to worship and live according to their beliefs and traditions. Kursi was
destroyed and abandoned following the great earthquake of January 18,
749 CE.
See also: Kursi
Excavation Project,
Kursi Excavation 2001
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