Nicanor Ossuary
Bone box of 'Nicanor of Alexandria who made the gates' of the Temple
Found 1902 — Found in a tomb on the grounds of the Gray Hill estate on Mount Scopus (now Hebrew University); published by Charles Clermont-Ganneau (1903)
Where Mount Scopus, Jerusalem (Nicanor's Cave, Hebrew University botanical garden) (Israel)
Dates from 1st century CE (before 70 CE) · Early Roman · Herod's Temple in use
Now at British Museum, London
How Nicanor Ossuary was found
A rock-cut family tomb on Mount Scopus held an ornate ossuary inscribed in Greek 'Bones of the (family) of Nicanor of Alexandria who made the doors', with the Hebrew 'Nicanor Alexa' added. The tomb was later rededicated as a burial place for Zionist leaders.
What it is
A limestone ossuary decorated with rosettes and carrying a Greek inscription naming Nicanor of Alexandria as maker of 'the doors', with a Hebrew addition. The Mishnah and Talmud tell of Nicanor's bronze gates, brought from Alexandria by sea, which were so admired that they were left ungilded when the other gates were covered with gold.
Why it matters for the Bible
This is a rare case where an object names a person known from rabbinic memory of the Temple. The Nicanor Gate stood between the Court of Women and the Court of Israel, on the east side of the inner Temple. It is very likely the 'Beautiful Gate' of Acts 3 where Peter healed the lame man, and the gate the Mishnah says was used for the ceremony of the sotah and the cleansing of lepers.
The Hebrew word: SHAH-ar Nee-ka-NOR
שַׁעַר נִיקָנוֹר
שַׁעַר נִיקָנוֹר is pronounced SHAH-ar Nee-ka-NOR and means the Nicanor Gate — the bronze gate between the Court of Women and the Court of Israel (Mishnah Middot 2:3) (Strong's H8179).
People this discovery connects to
- Peter — שִׁמְעוֹן כֵּיפָא (Shim-ON Kei-FA) — Simon 'rock'
Places
- Temple — בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ (Beit ha-mik-DASH) — house of the sanctuary
Events
Healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3) · Presentation of Yeshua in the Temple (Luke 2)
Nicanor Ossuary in Scripture
Acts 3:2 The lame man laid daily at 'the gate of the temple called Beautiful' — most likely Nicanor's bronze gate.
Acts 3:10 One of only 2 verses that name Beautiful Gate.
Questions people ask
What is Nicanor Ossuary?
A limestone ossuary decorated with rosettes and carrying a Greek inscription naming Nicanor of Alexandria as maker of 'the doors', with a Hebrew addition. The Mishnah and Talmud tell of Nicanor's bronze gates, brought from Alexandria by sea, which were so admired that they were left ungilded when the other gates were covered with gold.
When was Nicanor Ossuary discovered?
It was found in 1902 by Found in a tomb on the grounds of the Gray Hill estate on Mount Scopus (now Hebrew University); published by Charles Clermont-Ganneau (1903), at Mount Scopus, Jerusalem (Nicanor's Cave, Hebrew University botanical garden).
Where is Nicanor Ossuary today?
British Museum, London.
Which Bible verses does Nicanor Ossuary relate to?
Acts 3:2, Acts 3:10.
Related discoveries
- צַיִדBethsaida: et-Tell and el-ArajTwo rival sites for the fishing village of Peter, Andrew and Philip
- מָשִׁיחַCave Church of St Peter, AntiochThe grotto where tradition says the first 'Christians' met
- דַּיָּגAncient Harbors of the Sea of GalileeMendel Nun's sixteen first-century harbors revealed by low water
- לֹדLod (Lydda) MosaicA stunning Roman floor found under a street in the town where Peter healed Aeneas
- בֵּית הָאֲסוּרִיםMamertine Prison (Carcer Tullianum), RomeThe Forum dungeon where tradition holds Peter and Paul were held before death
- סְפִינָהAncient Galilee Boat ('Jesus Boat')A 1st-century fishing boat preserved in the mud of the Sea of Galilee
Sources
- Clermont-Ganneau, 'Archaeological and Epigraphic Notes on Palestine', PEQ 35 (1903)
- Wikipedia: Nicanor's Cave / Gate of Nicanor