SKELETON remains tied in heavy metal chains from 1,500 years ago have been unearthed – and they belonged to a female practising an extreme religious practice.
The shocking discovery, made by archaeologists near Jerusalem, also revealed the fifth-century skeletons of several other men, women and children.
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One of the ancient tombs contained the poorly preserved bones of an individual wrapped in chains, who experts previously believed belonged to a male.
But in a bizarre twist, archaeologists have now confirmed that the corpse was in fact that of a female.
On top of that, the female was not constrained or being punished by another person, as it might appear at first glance, but rather was practising a deeply religious ascetic lifestyle.
Asceticism is a religious practice where one abstains from worldly pleasures in order to achieve higher spiritual goals.
This could include self-discipline measures such as not eating or drinking for long periods of time during fasting, or completely abstaining from sexual activity during celibacy.
After Christianity became the main religion of the Roman Empire at the end of the fourth century, there was a popular surge in asceticism.
The most common practise of the life-style involved living at the top of a pillar, wearing heavy chains and praying or preaching.
The study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, was co-authored by Elisabetta Boaretto, who said that “the use of chains by male ascetics is widely documented,” but emphasised that “it’s much rarer to find accounts of women using chains in the same way.”
The person found during excavations at the Khirbat el-Masani monastery, northwest of Jerusalem, appeared to be anywhere between 30 and 60 years old at the time of death.
Researchers analysed amino acids in the person’s tooth enamel to figure out their gender.
Historical sources confirmed the existence of female ascetics but this is one of the first pieces of groundbreaking evidence to suggest women participated in the most extreme forms of bodily self-mortification.
This discovery fundamentally alters the perception of women’s role in this ascetic community and their devotion to extreme traditions.
Boaretto added: “The chains were likely viewed as integral to her identity as an ascetic.
“[Her burial] may have served to honour her ascetic life and ensure that her spiritual commitment continued to be recognised even after death.”
Last month, “exceptional” frescos of the Greek god of wine that revealed mysterious cult rituals were unearthed from volcanic ash in Pompeii.
And in Egypt, archaeologists made another groundbreaking discovery after finding the first royal tomb since Tutankhamen was uncovered 100 years ago.
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What is Asceticism?
Asceticism is a lifestyle of self-discipline and renunciation of material comforts, often for spiritual or philosophical goals.
It can be found in Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other faiths, emphasising self-denial as a path to enlightenment or closeness to God.
Common practices include fasting (e.g., Lent in Christianity) and celibacy, seen as ways to purify the soul.
Many ascetics retreat from society for prayer, meditation, or contemplation, like monks in remote monasteries.
Early Christian ascetics, like St. Anthony, fled cities for desert solitude, influencing monastic traditions.
Ascetic life often follows strict daily schedules, with prayer, fasting, manual labour, and study forming key parts of practice.
Many ascetics avoid luxury, rich food, or entertainment, believing indulgence weakens spiritual or mental strength.
Some ascetics practice extreme self-denial, like prolonged fasting, while others adopt a simpler, minimalist lifestyle.
Asceticism shaped religious orders, ethical teachings, and even modern ideas of self-discipline, like Stoicism and minimalism
Some see asceticism as a path to wisdom and self-mastery; others, like Nietzsche, criticised it as life-denying.
