Thursday, March 28, 2024
Contact    |    RSS icon Twitter icon Facebook icon  
Unexplained Mysteries
You are viewing: Home > News > Archaeology & History > News story
Welcome Guest ( Login or Register )  
All ▾
Search Submit

Archaeology & History

'Beardless Jesus' discovered in Spain

By T.K. Randall
October 6, 2014 · Comment icon 18 comments

One of the best known depictions of Christ by Leonardo da Vinci. Image Credit: Leonardo da Vinci
One of the earliest depictions of Jesus has been found on a plate dating back to the 4th century AD.
The artifact, which is made of glass, was discovered by archaeologists near the southern Spanish city of Linares and is believed to have been used during early Christian rituals to hold Eucharistic bread as it was consecrated.

The 22cm wide plate was broken in to fragments but the team was able to successfully reconstruct it. Around 81% of the pieces were recovered, more than enough to reveal the artwork on it.
The image shows Jesus along with two of his apostles, most likely Peter and Paul. The depiction of Christ is particularly unusual because it shows him without a beard. He also appears to have abnormally short hair and is wearing a philosopher's toga.

Close-up photographs of the plate and the artwork on it can be viewed - here.

Source: BBC News | Comments (18)




Other news and articles
Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #9 Posted by bigjonalien 10 years ago
How funny u just realized that jesus was baby faced with blonde hair they changed his appearence to make him look more noble. You humans are so stupid with ur beliefs
Comment icon #10 Posted by Jyre Cayce 10 years ago
Jesus, great guy but he borrowed my hair clippers and never refurned them.
Comment icon #11 Posted by OverSword 10 years ago
He probably had short hair and was clean shaven because this was the style of wealthy Romans at that time and Romans ruled over Spain in the 300's Meh, jesus probably didnt even exist. And yet only 300 years after he supposedly lived they are already making bread plates with his image on an entirely different continent than the one he lived on. That indicates that Jesus is probably based on an actual person to me. I just don't see a religion based on a complete fiction spreading that far that fast.
Comment icon #12 Posted by seaturtlehorsesnake 10 years ago
ok, since no one else has mentioned it that plate is glass. and it's survived in such good condition! that's pretty amazing. How do they know that's who it's supposed to be? the figure is posed next to the cross, and surrounded by iconography that was associated with christ in that era. even if it's not certain, it's a pretty safe bet that it's meant to be jesus.
Comment icon #13 Posted by aph 10 years ago
The oldest known portrait of Jesus, found in Syria and dated to about 235, shows him as a beardless young man of authoritative and dignified bearing. He is depicted dressed in the style of a young philosopher, with close-cropped hair and wearing a tunic and pallium – signs of good breeding in Greco-Roman society. From this, it is evident that some early Christians paid no heed to the historical context of Jesus being a Jew and visualised him solely in terms of their own social context, as a quasi-heroic figure, without supernatural attributes such as a halo (a fourth-century innovation).[14]... [More]
Comment icon #14 Posted by docyabut2 10 years ago
I suppose Jesus as a man did shave once in a while :)
Comment icon #15 Posted by docyabut2 10 years ago
Jesus was from the house of David and David was described as ruddy,red headed? 1 Samuel 16:12 "And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he." - Holy Bible; English Standard Version.[36] 1 Samuel 17:41-43 "And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance."[ Jesus was ruddy, reddish blonde as the Bible described David to be.and pics... [More]
Comment icon #16 Posted by legadema 10 years ago
we will all know what jesus face is, if we are there in heaven.
Comment icon #17 Posted by legadema 10 years ago
the most important thing is that we should have faith in him
Comment icon #18 Posted by AlienDan 10 years ago
And yet only 300 years after he supposedly lived they are already making bread plates with his image on an entirely different continent than the one he lived on. That indicates that Jesus is probably based on an actual person to me. I just don't see a religion based on a complete fiction spreading that far that fast. One only needs to look at modern missionaries, like mormonism or anything, to see how a strong beleif in something enables you to want to sread it's idea as fast and far as possible, whether the idea is true or not makes no difference. So how does that indicate he was an actual pe... [More]


Please Login or Register to post a comment.


Our new book is out now!
Book cover

The Unexplained Mysteries
Book of Weird News

 AVAILABLE NOW 

Take a walk on the weird side with this compilation of some of the weirdest stories ever to grace the pages of a newspaper.

Click here to learn more

We need your help!
Patreon logo

Support us on Patreon

 BONUS CONTENT 

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can gain access to a wide range of exclusive perks including our popular 'Lost Ghost Stories' series.

Click here to learn more

Top 10 trending mysteries
Recent news and articles