Jerusalem Discovery Reveals Radical Ascetic Practices of Byzantine Nuns

A groundbreaking discovery in Jerusalem has revealed the first-ever archaeological evidence of extreme ascetic practices among Byzantine nuns, shedding new light on a phenomenon previously known only through historical texts.

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the find on Monday, detailing the remains of a woman buried beneath the altar of an ancient church. The nun's skeleton bore the unmistakable marks of severe self-mortification: iron rings binding her arms, legs, and neck, along with heavy iron plates covering her torso.

"The woman was discovered in a single grave, dedicated to her as a sign of honor under the church altar," said IAA researchers Zubair ʼAdawi, Kfir Arbiv, and Dr. Yossi Nagar. "She was bound with 12-14 rings around her arms or hands, four rings around her neck, and at least 10 rings around her legs. Iron plates or discs on her stomach, attached to the rings, gave her skeleton an armored form."

A small cross found near her remains confirmed her religious devotion, and historical records suggest she was part of a monastic community active between the 5th and 7th centuries CE. Until now, extreme asceticism self-imposed suffering to achieve spiritual purity was believed to be primarily a male practice. This discovery confirms that women, too, embraced these radical forms of devotion.

The practice of chaining oneself for prolonged periods was a known, albeit rare, form of religious expression in the Byzantine world. Ancient texts mention ascetics such as Marana and Cyra, two 5th-century Christian women who lived for decades in chains as a form of spiritual discipline.

According to excavation director Dr. Amit Re’em, "These literally extraordinary women lived and functioned in a rigid male and patriarchal environment, which inhibited their activities."

Some women, like Saint Pelagia and Saint Marina, even disguised themselves as men to be accepted into monastic communities. Others, as this discovery confirms, took on extreme forms of self-denial to prove their spiritual worth.

"Ascetic nuns represent a fascinating phenomenon worth dwelling on," Re’em noted. "They had to navigate a religious system that largely excluded them."

The iron rings found on the nun's body were not instruments of torture but rather tools of voluntary self-discipline. By inflicting physical suffering, ascetics believed they could purify their souls and achieve higher spiritual enlightenment.

Due to the poor condition of the skeleton, researchers collaborated with the Weizmann Institute of Science to confirm the body's gender using proteomic analysis of tooth enamel. This advanced technique identified unique proteins linked to X/Y chromosomes, conclusively proving that the remains belonged to a woman.

According to ʼAdawi and Arbiv, the practice of binding the body with iron chains appears to have originated in northern Syria and Anatolia before spreading into Europe and the Middle East. "The phenomenon expanded southwards and reached Jerusalem and Egypt," they explained.

This discovery provides unprecedented physical evidence of a forgotten chapter in Christian monasticism, rewriting the history of female religious devotion in the Byzantine era.

Jerusalem continues to reveal its deep and complex history. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on Israel’s latest archaeological discoveries.