For many years in an obscure back corridor of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem there was a large stone slab leaning against a wall. The eight-feet-by-five-feet (2.5 meter-by-1.5 meter) slab was covered with graffiti - messages in many languages left by Christian pilgrims who’d come to visit this holiest of holy sites.
But recent renovations at the Holy Sepulchre revealed something surprising about this seemingly unremarkable stone slab. When it was turned around so it could be moved, onlookers were shocked to discover that the back side of the slab was decorated with elaborate spiral or looped motifs beautifully carved into the rock.
After examining the striking images on the stone slab, researchers eventually determined that the rock had once been part of a medieval high altar. The altar would have been a centerpiece, put on display in a prominent location where it could be seen by all visiting pilgrims. The decorated side of the slab had actually been the altar’s face, and it was designed to evoke awe and wonder.
