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Medieval Inscriptions Unearthed at Jerusalem’s Cenacle, Site of the Last Supper
Jerusalem’s Cenacle, traditionally recognized as the Upper Room and revered as the location of Jesus’s Last Supper, has revealed medieval inscriptions in a groundbreaking archaeological discovery. An international team of researchers, featuring experts from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), utilized advanced techniques to unveil these hidden markings within the walls of this significant site on Mount Zion, just outside the Old City boundaries.
Significance of the Cenacle
The Gospels recount the Last Supper within the week of Passover, preceding Jesus’s crucifixion. This sacred chamber is also identified as the place where Jesus performed the washing of his disciples’ feet. Despite centuries of alterations and rebuilds, culminating in its current Gothic Crusader-era form, the Cenacle continues to be a focal point of historical and religious importance.
Discovery of Hidden Inscriptions
Employing cutting-edge digital photography, researchers from ÖAW, in collaboration with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), meticulously documented previously unseen inscriptions, along with coats of arms and sketches embedded within the ancient walls.
Notable Figures and Coats of Arms
Analysis of the findings, published in the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, identified heraldic symbols belonging to Tristram von Teuffenbach, a nobleman from Styria. Von Teuffenbach journeyed to Jerusalem in 1436 as part of a pilgrimage led by Archduke Frederick of Habsburg, later Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III.
Key Inscriptions Deciphered
Armenian Inscription: King Het’um II
One inscription, rendered in a style characteristic of Armenian nobility, reads “Christmas 1300.” This inscription bolsters the hypothesis that King Het’um II of Armenia reached Jerusalem after his army’s victory at the Battle of Wadi al-Khaznadar (Third Battle of Homs) in December 1299, where Mongol forces triumphed over the Mamluks.
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Arabic Fragment: Female Pilgrim from Aleppo
An Arabic fragment reading “…ya al-Ḥalabīya,” referencing the Syrian city of Aleppo, was also discovered. Researchers deduced that a female Christian pilgrim inscribed these words, indicated by the repeated feminine suffix “ya,” marking a noteworthy and uncommon finding.
Pilgrim Graffiti: A Diverse Historical Record
The Cenacle walls exhibit a rich tapestry of names and symbols left by medieval pilgrims hailing from across Europe and the Middle East. Among these is Johannes Poloner of Regensburg, who documented his travels between 1421 and 1422. Furthermore, a charcoal sketch depicting the coat of arms of the Bernese patrician Rümlingen family was also identified.
Insights into Medieval Pilgrimage
Ilya Berkovich, co-author of the ÖAW study, stated, “These graffiti provide fresh perspectives on the geographical breadth and global pilgrimage movements to Jerusalem during the Middle Ages, extending beyond the traditionally Western-centric scholarly viewpoint.”
Cenacle in Biblical Context
Biblically, the Cenacle is also revered as the site where the Holy Spirit descended upon the twelve apostles during Pentecost. The name “Cenacle” itself originates from the Latin word “ceno,” meaning “I dine,” further connecting the location to its historical and religious significance.