VOA慢速英语2021--科技有助于解释以色列圣地十字架的奥秘

Israeli researchers say technology may have solved a mystery about markings at one of Christianity's holiest places.

The markings are thousands of crosses carved into the walls of Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The building is one of the world's oldest Christian¹ religious centers. It was long thought that the markings were graffiti created by religious travelers, called pilgrims², who visited the church in the past.

But imaging technology completed during a renovation³ project suggests that the markings were likely part of a more organized effort. Researchers used three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology in an effort to find out how old the markings are. The researchers say the process showed that the crosses likely date back to the 15th century.

Amit Re'em is an archaeologist working with Israel's Antiquities⁴ Authority. He told Reuters that examinations of the images showed the depths and details of the markings were very similar, suggesting that only a few people had carved the crosses.

"Maybe two or three hand artists made these crosses," Re'em said. He added: "So it's not graffiti, it's something more organized."

Re'em suggested that pilgrims visiting the Jerusalem church probably paid artists to create the crosses in their name. "You pay something to this special artist and he carved for you, for the benefit of your soul and your relatives' souls," he said.

The markings represented special crosses "in the most sacred place for Christianity on Earth," Re'em added. More research is to be carried out on the markings in an effort to confirm the latest findings.

Father Samuel Aghoyan is an Armenian official at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. He told Reuters he thinks the new research can help the church, especially as it struggles with COVID-19 restrictions⁵.

"Now there are no pilgrims here, (but) still their spirit is here, we know, I believe in that," he said.

Words in This Story

carve – v. to make an object, shape or pattern by cutting wood, stone, etc.

graffiti – n. pictures or words painted or drawn⁶ on a wall, building or something else

imaging –n. the process of creating and showing pictures on a computer

renovate⁷ – v. to repair and decorate an old building

three-dimensional (3D) – adj. having or appearing to have length, depth and height

antiquities – n. items from the ancient past

benefit – n. a helpful or good effect

soul – n. the part of a person that is not their body, which some people believe continues to exist after they die

sacred – adj. relating to religion or considered to be holy

1 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

2 pilgrims   

香客，朝圣者( pilgrim的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Muslim pilgrims on their way to Mecca 前往麦加的穆斯林朝圣者
• Many pilgrims knelt piously at the shrine. 许多朝圣者心虔意诚地在神殿跪拜。

3 renovation   

n.革新，整修

参考例句：

• The cinema will reopen next week after the renovation.电影院修缮后，将于下星期开业。
• The building has undergone major renovation.这座大楼已进行大整修。

4 antiquities   

n.古老( antiquity的名词复数 )；古迹；古人们；古代的风俗习惯

参考例句：

• There is rest and healing in the contemplation of antiquities. 欣赏古物有休息和疗养之功。 来自辞典例句
• Bertha developed a fine enthusiasm for the antiquities of London. 伯沙对伦敦的古迹产生了很大的热情。 来自辞典例句

5 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

6 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

7 renovate   

vt.更新，革新，刷新

参考例句：

• The couple spent thousands renovating the house.这对夫妇花了几千元来翻新房子。
• They are going to renovate the old furniture.他们准备将旧家具整修一番。