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BOAZ ZISSU, BAR-ILAN UNIVERSITY

ILLUMINATING ARTIFACTS. A number of beautifully preserved oil lamps were recovered from the monastery outside the cave chapel. These lamps, which date to the eighth century, are clear indicators that the veneration of Salome at the Horvat Qasra caves continued well into the early Islamic period. Shortly thereafter, however, the monastery and chapel fell into disuse, likely suffering significant damage from one of several earthquakes that occurred in the region during the eighth century.