The discovery of an ancient Jesus artefact in Turkey could change the way we view one of the Bible's most well-known verses.
While some folks have been making wild guesses as to when the rapture is going to arrive, or when Jesus is supposedly going to return to Earth, archaeologists have been busy trying to find conclusive evidence that backs up the Bible.
As the most-read text of all time, it's no surprise that the Bible has been heavily scrutinised over the years, with most scholars accepting that, while Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical figure, some of the acts he is said to have performed in the Bible are more likely to be fictional - scientifically speaking.
Scientists and archaeologists have been researching areas such as Egypt for a long time, trying to find more proof of the religious figure, and it was only recently that they discovered evidence that suggests that a key character in the religious text, Pontius Pilate, was almost certainly real.
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He was the man said to have ordered Jesus's crucifixion, and although Christians across the world celebrate the miracle of him coming back from the dead every Easter, that particular miracle might never be proven to be true.
However, another famous moment in the Bible might just have been given some more backing after archaeologists in Turkey discovered an ancient artefact related to the son of God.
At Topraktepe, the site of ancient Eirenopolis, researchers discovered five carbonised bread loaves, one bearing a portrait of Jesus and an ancient Greek inscription reading, 'With our thanks to Blessed Jesus'.
You may well be thinking of the miracle where Jesus feeds the 5000 using fish and bread, but it turns out that this particular artefact is likely to provide backing for the John 6:35 verse, where Jesus declares, 'I am the bread of life'.
Bread is, of course, depicted as the body of Jesus in some religious teachings, and it was the same for the people of Eirenopolis, as they believed that loaves were sacred objects which were ritually treated as representations of Christ himself.
Many churches still celebrate communion, inviting participants to partake in bread and wine, which symbolise the body and blood of Jesus.
Archaeologists determined that the five discovered breads were very likely communion breads used in the central Christian ritual of the Eucharist, with the other four loaves featuring cross-shaped imprints.
This is only the latest discovery that gives more credence to the Bible, although researchers are still trying to unearth Noah's ark.
Topics: Archaeology, Religion
James Moorhouse