A recent archaeological discovery near Jerusalem is challenging long-held beliefs about women's roles in extreme religious practices during the Byzantine period. Scientists from the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Israel Antiquities Authority have identified the remains of a woman in an ascetic burial traditionally associated with men. The discovery is prompting a reevaluation of women's participation in extreme asceticism in the 5th century CE.
During excavations at Khirbat el-Masani, a Byzantine monastery dating from 350 to 650 CE, several tombs were uncovered. Among these burials, researchers found a poorly preserved skeleton wrapped in heavy metal chains—a practice linked to extreme asceticism. Initially, the remains were assumed to belong to a male ascetic due to the traditional association of this type of penance with men. However, scientific analysis published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports confirms the remains belonged to a woman.
To determine the sex of the individual, researchers employed peptide analysis on the enamel of the only remaining tooth, specifically the second premolar of the upper jaw. The findings revealed an absence of peptides associated with the AMELY protein, which is encoded by a gene located on the Y chromosome. In contrast, they identified a presence of peptides corresponding to the AMELX protein, linked to a gene on the X chromosome.
The discovery at Khirbat el-Masani suggests that some women adopted similar practices to their male counterparts, engaging in extreme religious behaviors and active participation in monastic communities. Historical records indicate that women in the Roman Empire began practicing asceticism as early as the 4th century CE. Notable figures such as Melania the Elder and her granddaughter Melania the Roman exemplified the trend of women embracing self-restraint for spiritual goals, having left behind privileged lives for monastic discipline.
The monastery where the tomb was discovered was strategically positioned along the Christian pilgrimage route to Jerusalem. During the Byzantine period, Jerusalem blossomed into a major religious hub, attracting worshipers from across the Roman Empire. Monasteries served not only as spiritual centers but also as refuges for weary pilgrims seeking solace and guidance, enhancing their role in the religious landscape of the time.
Excavations at the site uncovered multiple burial crypts containing skeletal remains of men, women, and children. Among these, researchers found the remains of the ascetic individual bound in chains. Small metal plates and a tiny cross were found near the abdomen of the skeleton. Others, known as stylites, lived atop pillars in solitude to focus on prayer and preaching.
The skeleton of the ascetic has survived in a highly fragmentary state, with the few preserved bones crumbling upon contact, making it difficult to determine the person's sex through traditional methods. Without key bones like the pelvis or skull, archaeologists needed an alternative approach. The only well-preserved part of the body was a single tooth—an upper second premolar. Researchers subjected the remains to scientific analysis, examining the proteins in the tooth enamel to determine biological sex.
Traditional methods rely on analyzing large bones, but in cases like this, alternative techniques are crucial. Scientists analyzed the presence of the protein amelogenin, which has specific variations on the X and Y chromosomes. The absence of the male variant (AmelY) in the sample clearly showed that the individual was a woman. To ensure accuracy, scientists checked additional chemical signs in the tooth proteins.
Age estimation based on the remains was challenging due to the poor preservation of the bones. The scientists analyzed three surviving neck vertebrae and one tooth to estimate the ascetic's age, determining that the burial belonged to an adult likely aged between 30 and 60 years at the time of death. Though exact age remains uncertain, experts confirm she was an adult who likely endured years of physical hardship as part of her religious devotion.
This discovery raises important questions regarding the role of women in extreme ascetic practices during the Byzantine era, challenging the belief that such practices were exclusively male. Although there are known cases of noble women who founded monasteries and participated in religious life, the identification of a woman who took her devotion to the extremes of self-flagellation is unprecedented in the archaeological records.
For centuries, historians assumed that severe forms of self-denial and ascetic lifestyles were reserved for men, with no material evidence confirming that women adopted the most extreme forms of penance. The discovery at Khirbat el-Masani emphasizes the active role women played in extreme religious behaviors, challenging conventional narratives about female participation in religion and spirituality.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq