HE Part of the lid of Jonah’s paleochristian sarcophagus now again Elda Archaeological Museum. He transferred from Córdoba, where he was a part of his team. “Change of Ages” exhibition. Córdoba and the Christian MediterraneanFocusing on early Christianity throughout the Ancient World”. An international exhibition promoted in collaboration with the Municipality of Cordoba. Andalusian Junta And diocese of Cordovan, showing the 200 most important parts of the city and The Christian Mediterranean, between the Roman emperors Constantine and Justinian, flocked to more than 350,000 visitors.
The remarkable mark was the cover of a large, high-quality marble sarcophagus called Lunense by the Romans and now known as Carrara marble, the last find made at Christmas. 1981 year by members of the archeology department Eldense Hiking Center. While excavating the Elda castle cistern, the lid, which was used for other purposes, came to light.
It is one of the oldest paleochristian objects in the Community of Valencia and Spain. and therefore the authorities of the city of Andalusia, asking permission from the Elda City Council last December. archaeological jewel For four months of Elda.
In fact, it is one of its main and most valuable archaeological and artistic pieces and is part of the Valencian artwork catalogue.
A piece appeared in the castle
The sarcophagus in the Elda Museum is exceptional for its great artistic quality and age, and presents part of the first and second scenes of a well-known biblical story; great cetacean often described as whale. The scene of Christian history begins to represent the life of the Christian and Christian community, clearly associated with baptism and the Christian life that has been lived ever since.
As explained by the archaeologist and director of the Elda Archaeological Museum, “this heavy piece of marble appeared reused on the roof of the structure. Christian cistern of Elda castleIt was published in two parts at once found by tireless members of the Archeology Department in the early 1980s. Eldense Hiking Center. It was definitely the coffin of a wealthy Roman from El Monastil (Elo) or one of his suburban villas”.
As this meaning is reflected in numerous research publications conducted by Antonio Manuel Poveda, artistic, historical and economic significance This makes it one of the most valuable and important pieces of Christian archeology in the Community of Valencia.
The most important historical monument
“Why is all this always interest while being taken to important archeology or art exhibitions. On this occasion, in Córdoba, it has reached the previously enormous spread. 350,000 visitors, certainly becoming the historical and archaeological part of Elda with the greatest national and international spread. It also helps that she is involved in other related exhibitions, she has been in two of them. MurciaIn two of the Lights of the Surahs, in Valencia and Orihuelabut also twice, last time in Alicante year 2008at the archeology exhibition organized by MARQ and the Elda Archaeological Museum. If we collect all the people who saw the sarcophagus in these exhibitions or in the Elda Museum, we can say that nearly half a million visitors saw such a rare artifact. Therefore, Elda and its museum can and should be very good. proud of having it always has to improve its display in a room and window of the museum”, notes Antonio Poveda. research group appointed to the scientific committee of the sample.
On the other hand, big Catalog Published along with all the pieces in the exhibition that went around the world, the book has become a major reference book on paleochristian material culture. The coordinator and curator of the exhibition, Dr. Alexandra Chavarria ArnauHe obtained a complete work in which the Elda Archaeological Museum, as the sarcophagus borrower, appears with significant visibility as well as the photograph and explanatory text.
“In short – Poveda – for different reasons, but certainly for this sarcophagus, Elda Municipal Archaeological Museumby the way, to the silent cheetah, this is meeting in 2023, 40 years since its opening“.