Unveiling Secrets: Medieval Graffiti In Jerusalem's Room Of The Last Supper Deciphered

(MENAFN- USA Art News) An international team has made a fascinating discovery: previously unseen Medieval Graffiti Jerusalem is now brought to light within the walls of the Room of the Last Supper on Mount Zion. This sacred space, revered by Christians as the site of the Last Supper, has yielded a rich tapestry of inscriptions, family crests, and drawings dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. For centuries hidden from view, the Room of the Last Supper Graffiti offers a new perspective on the historical significance of this location.

A Hidden History Revealed: Layers of Time Beneath Plaster

The rectangular chamber atop Mount Zion has long drawn Christian pilgrims. As the traditional location of Jesus' final meal with the twelve apostles, the Room of the Last Supper (Cenacle), situated above the supposed tomb of King David, holds immense historical and religious value. While visitors today see a stone room with Gothic architecture from the late 12th century, the walls concealed a secret narrative.

Between the late 14th and early 16th centuries, Christian pilgrims left their mark on the walls in the form of Medieval Graffiti Jerusalem. This period coincided with the building's role as part of a Franciscan monastery. Following the Ottoman conquest in 1517 and the subsequent expulsion of the Franciscans, the graffiti was plastered over, remaining hidden until restoration efforts in the mid-1990s.

Archaeological Technology Unlocks the Past: A New Era of Graffiti Analysis

Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Austrian Academy of Sciences embarked on a comprehensive study, documenting and analyzing 30 inscriptions and 9 images within the Room of the Last Supper. Their findings, published in the journal Liber Annuus, highlight the power of Archaeological Technology in uncovering hidden historical narratives.

The team employed advanced techniques to reveal and decipher the ancient markings. After careful visual inspection using ultraviolet and infrared filters, they focused on two primary photographic methods. Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) enhanced the physical surface of the walls, revealing subtle or erased marks. Multispectral photography identified the chemical composition of the inks, charcoal, and paints used in the Room of the Last Supper Graffiti.

The resulting data was then processed and interpreted by linguistic experts. This multi-faceted approach, a prime example of modern Graffiti Analysis, allowed researchers to“see” the unseen, effectively restoring lost fragments of history. The application of cutting-edge Archaeological Technology is revolutionizing how we understand and preserve historical sites like the Room of the Last Supper, providing insights that were previously inaccessible. The successful decipherment of the Medieval Graffiti Jerusalem offers a valuable glimpse into the lives and experiences of pilgrims who visited this sacred site centuries ago.

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