Archaeologists have revealed the origins of the famous “Holy Grail” cup, which was found along with 12 human skeletons in Jordan at the site where the 1989 movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was filmed.
Contrary to popular belief, the Chalice is not an ancient vessel for the elixir of immortality. Instead, it is actually a common drinking cup used by the Nabateans, a highly developed civilization that flourished in the ancient city of Petra thousands of years ago.
“This is a simple jug, not a cup that confers eternal life on the drinker,” British archaeologist Claire Isabella Gilmour wrote in The Conversation. He said Nabataean pottery is extremely fine – often only 1.5 mm thick – and best suited for ceremonial use or local use. ,
The ceramic object was excavated in August along with skeletons and various other artifacts. The tomb contains well-preserved skeletal bones and artifacts believed to be more than 2,000 years old, unlike other tombs previously discovered in Petra, which were mostly empty.
The findings were led by Dr. Pierce Paul Cressman, executive director of the American Center for Research (ACOR), in partnership with Josh Gates of Discovery Channel’s ‘Expedition Unknown,’ reports Ancient Origins.
After the discovery of the so-called “Grail”, it was found clutched in the hands of one of 12 skeletons, reminiscent of the chalice that Jesus is believed to have used during the Last Supper.
This ancient tableware is usually very fragile, often only 1.5 mm thick, indicating its suitability for ceremonial and local use rather than long distance transport, unlike its sturdier Roman counterparts.
Adding to the intrigue, the chalice was discovered in the same location made famous by Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, with the artwork closely resembling the Spartan-like prop used in the film.
Despite the similarities, archaeologist Gilmour wrote that this is not a case of art imitating life, noting that the similarities arise from extensive research into Nabataean pottery conducted by Deborah Fine, former Director of Archives at Lucasfilm Ltd. .
The discovery of skeletons buried in separate coffins suggests that they may have belonged to members of the Nabataean elite.
