Israeli scientists from the Weizmann Science Institute have revealed the secret of an abnormal burial age of 1,500 years, found in Hirbat-El-Masani's Byzantine Monastery. There, they discovered a skeleton that was chained in heavy metal chains. The study was published in scientific publications of Archaeological Science Magazine: Report (JASR).
Experts have determined that the sequences of service are like Verigs special weight agents, who wear abstract Christians as self -restraint and humility practice.
The researchers conducted DNA analysis and found that the skeleton was found to belong to a woman. This is a surprise, because it is believed that the verigs are mostly worn by men.
The use of chains of Ascet men is clearly recorded, but finding a woman, buried in this way, is a rare thing, co -author of the study of Elizabette Boaretto.
After Christianity became the main religion of the Roman Empire in our three era, asceticism became popular.
The monks and nuns abandoned the mundane pleasures to focus on the spiritual life. Askets often use the chain to limit mobility, help them control their body and focus on prayer. Women-Ascetes, as a rule, chose less extreme methods, such as post, prayer and lonely.
This discovery clarifies the role of women in the religious life of Byzantium and expands our understanding of the ascetic practice at that time.