Archaeologists in Jerusalem have uncovered a 1,500-year-old skeleton of a woman who was buried while still wearing iron shackles around her neck, hands, and feet. This rare and unsettling discovery sheds light on extreme religious practices in the early Byzantine period and suggests that the woman may have been an ascetic who voluntarily subjected herself to prolonged suffering.

An Extraordinary Burial With Iron Chains

The skeletal remains, found during excavations near Jerusalem, reveal that the woman had been buried with heavy iron restraints still intact.

Typically, shackles are removed before burial, making this case highly unusual. Experts believe the woman may have been an extreme ascetic, someone who practiced severe self-discipline, often as part of religious devotion.

Such extreme acts of self-mortification were not unheard of in the early Christian period. Some ascetics withdrew from society to live in isolation, fasting for extended periods, wearing hair shirts, or engaging in self-flagellation to purify the soul. However, a burial with shackles still in place is an exceptionally rare find.

Was She A Penitent Or A Revered Holy Figure?

The presence of shackles raises questions about the woman’s status in society. Was she a devoted religious figure, seen as a saintly individual, or was she a penitent, someone atoning for past sins through self-imposed suffering?

According to historians, the Byzantine world was home to religious groups who viewed extreme self-discipline as a way to achieve spiritual enlightenment.

Some even sought divine favor through prolonged physical hardship. If this woman belonged to such a group, she may have been respected, rather than viewed as a criminal or outcast.

The Significance Of Asceticism In Early Christianity

Asceticism was a key feature of early Christianity, especially in the Eastern Roman Empire. Many religious figures withdrew from society to live in monasteries, caves, or desert hermitages, devoting their lives to prayer and self-denial. Some, like the Stylites, lived atop pillars for years, while others engaged in physical self-punishment.

This discovery aligns with written records describing women ascetics who took vows of poverty, chastity, and suffering. However, there is little direct archaeological evidence of their lives—making this skeleton a unique glimpse into the personal sacrifices of early Christian devotees.

What Does This Mean For Future Research?

The discovery raises new questions about burial practices, religious traditions, and social attitudes toward female ascetics in Byzantine society.

Was this woman honored for her extreme devotion, or was she forced into these practices? Did she die naturally, or did the physical toll of her self-imposed suffering contribute to her death?

“The chains were likely viewed as integral to her identity as an ascetic. May have served to honor her ascetic life and ensure that her spiritual commitment continued to be recognized even after death,” said Elisabetta Boaretto, an archaeologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.

Further analysis of the bones may reveal signs of malnutrition, injury, or long-term wear caused by the shackles.