Did Archaeologists Just Uncover Herod’s Sister’s Tomb? New Evidence Challenges Christian Pilgrimage Legend at “Cave of Salome”

In the rolling Judean Foothills, beneath a layer of centuries-old myths and Christian pilgrimage candles, a grand burial cave long believed to house a follower of Jesus may instead have been the final resting place of royalty—none other than Salome, the powerful sister of King Herod the Great.

Recent excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) have shattered long-held traditions, revealing that the site near the village of Eliav is far more monumental than once imagined, with ties that may reach directly into the heart of Herod’s infamous dynasty.

Utilizing the evidence, the #archaeologists proposed a new identification for the #tomb’s owner: Salome I (c. 65 BCE–10 CE), the sister and advisor of Herod the Great. https://t.co/vNtH9sf5Fm

— Biblical Archaeology Review (@BibArch) June 20, 2025

A Cave Fit for Royalty, Not a Simple Disciple

While Christian tradition has revered this site as the grave of “Salome, the midwife of Jesus,” the reality is turning out to be much grander and politically charged.

“The structure consists of a courtyard, an entrance, and the cave itself, presenting multiple burial niches and installations for elaborate burial rituals,” lead archaeologist Nir-Shimshon Paran explained to The Judean. “It’s one of the largest, if not the largest, burial estates from the Second Temple period discovered in Israel.”

The tomb, with its imposing 225-square-meter courtyard, exquisite ashlar masonry, and Roman architectural flourishes, was likely built between the 1st century BCE and 1st century CE, precisely when Herod and Jesus walked the land.

Then it fell silent. For nearly 500 years, the tomb lay forgotten until Christian pilgrims rediscovered it in the 6th century CE, transforming it into a bustling holy site, where dozens of Greek, Arabic, and Syriac inscriptions, along with countless oil lamps, were left by pilgrims seeking blessings.

A Tomb Once Said to Hold ‘Jesus’s Midwife’ Might Instead Hold Ancient Royalty https://t.co/FjTe6Aiu6A

— Popular Mechanics (@PopMech) June 6, 2025

The Case for Herod’s Sister, Salome

Who was this Salome? According to the Gospels, a disciple named Salome witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion, while another tradition identified her as a midwife to Mary. However, the new findings suggest that the “Salome” of this cave could have been none other than Herod’s sister, one of the most powerful women in Judea, who ruled cities inherited from her brother and played a significant role in court intrigues.

During Herod’s reign, Salome owned lands from Ashkelon to the Jordan Valley, with the burial site positioned along the route between her holdings. The region, Idumea—where Herod’s family originated—was known for its wealth and influence, explaining the tomb’s monumental scale.

“While we lack a definitive inscription stating ‘Salome, sister of Herod,’ the circumstantial evidence is compelling,” Paran asserted. “This was not a commoner’s grave—everything about it screams elite status.”

Biblical Ties, Pilgrimage Myths, and a Return to History

In the Byzantine era, Christians were eager to identify holy sites and relics tied to their faith, transforming any location with the slightest biblical association into pilgrimage destinations.

The “Cave of Salome” became one such site, drawing tens of thousands of pilgrims who left inscriptions, candles, and icons in its niches, likely unaware that the Salome they revered may not have been the midwife of Jesus but a formidable queen from a family they often viewed with suspicion.

Originally believed to be a Saint’s tomb, archaeologists now find a royal burial lost to time- The new hypothesis centers on Salome, Herod the Great’s sister — a well-documented figure in Judean history. Herod, who ruled from about 37 to 4 B.C pic.twitter.com/yLpknNVY5j

— James Richards (@JamesRicha505) June 1, 2025

Looting, Legends, and Lingering Mysteries

Discovered by looters in the 1980s, the cave has yielded a wealth of artifacts, but the one piece of evidence that could confirm its royal occupant—a marked ossuary—may have been stolen long ago.

“It’s possible that during the Second Temple period, an ossuary with Salome’s name existed in the cave, contributing to the tradition that later evolved into the Christian narrative,” Paran explained.

Today, the cave sits closed to the public, its chambers quiet except for the occasional modern pilgrim who leaves a candle, whispering prayers into the darkness of a tomb that may have once held the sister of Judea’s most notorious king.

A New Chapter in Judean History

Whether the cave truly held Salome, Herod’s sister, may never be known with certainty, but the grandeur of the tomb, its location, and its historical context make the theory compelling enough to rewrite the narrative surrounding this storied site.

In a land where every stone tells a story, the Cave of Salome reminds us that history is never settled—and sometimes, the truth is far more fascinating than the legends we inherit.

Key Takeaways:

• Monumental Second Temple period tomb discovered near Eliav
• Previously believed to be the grave of “Salome, the midwife of Jesus”
• New evidence suggests it may be the tomb of Salome, sister of King Herod
• Site became a major Christian pilgrimage site during the Byzantine period
• Closed to the public but may reopen as interest surges in its true story