Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a woman at an ancient Byzantine monastery near Jerusalem, challenging long-held beliefs that asceticism was only practiced by men in early Christianity.
The skeletal remains of a person wrapped in heavy metal chains—a practice linked to extreme asceticism—were found in a stone tomb.
For centuries, historians assumed this severe form of self-denial was reserved for men. But scientific analysis, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, now suggests the remains belonged to a woman.
Byzantine monastery near Jerusalem reveals women were practicing asceticism
The monastery, located about three kilometers northwest of Jerusalem’s Old City, dates back to between A.D. 350 and 650. During this period, Christian monasticism flourished, and Jerusalem became a center for religious pilgrims.
Monasteries provided shelter and spiritual guidance, reinforcing their influence in both religious and political spheres.
Excavations at the site uncovered multiple burial crypts containing skeletal remains of men, women, and children. Among them, one burial stood out. Inside a stone tomb lay a skeleton wrapped in metal chains around the neck, arms and legs.
Small metal plates and a tiny cross were found near the abdomen. The bones were in poor condition, making it difficult to determine the person’s sex through traditional methods.
Challenging long-held assumptions
Asceticism, severe self-discipline for spiritual devotion, was common in Byzantine era Christianity.
Some ascetics restricted movement by wearing heavy chains, while others, known as stylites, lived atop pillars in solitude to focus on prayer and preaching. Until now, evidence of such extreme practices was only linked to men.
Researchers initially assumed the remains belonged to a male ascetic. However, the skeletal structure was too deteriorated to confirm this through conventional means.
Without key bones like the pelvis or skull, archaeologists needed an alternative approach to determine the individual’s sex.
Solving the mystery through tooth analysis
The only well-preserved part of the body was a single tooth—an upper second premolar. Scientists turned to a modern forensic technique that analyzes proteins in tooth enamel, which contain biological markers that differ between males and females.
The enamel proteins from the ancient tooth were compared with those from modern male and female teeth. The results showed a key protein unique to male enamel was absent, confirming the remains were most likely female.
This groundbreaking revelation overturns previous assumptions that only men practiced this form of self-punishment in Byzantine monasticism.
Historical records document that women in the 4th and 5th centuries A.D. often chose ascetic lives. Some renounced wealth and founded nunneries, particularly in and around Jerusalem.
Melania the Elder and Melania the Younger, two Roman aristocrats, are famous examples of women who left behind privileged lives to devote themselves to monastic discipline, according to the research.
While female ascetics were known to exist, this is the first physical evidence of a woman engaging in extreme self-denial using heavy chains. The discovery at Khirbat el-Masani’ suggests some women adopted similar practices to their male counterparts.
Estimating age and health of the woman
Scientists analyzed three surviving neck vertebrae to estimate the ascetic’s age. Some features suggested she was around 20 years old at death, while others indicated she may have been as old as 60. The condition of her teeth also hinted at an older age, with significant wear and decay present.
Though exact age remains uncertain, experts confirm she was an adult who likely endured years of physical hardship as part of her religious devotion.
Identifying sex in ancient skeletal remains is often difficult, especially when bones are poorly preserved. Traditional methods rely on analyzing large bones, but in cases like this, alternative techniques are crucial.
To ensure accuracy, scientists checked additional chemical signs in the tooth proteins. Higher-than-normal degradation levels indicated the remains were truly ancient, ruling out the possibility of modern contamination.