IMC 2003: Sessions

The archaeological identification of the medieval Jewish community in the urban archaeological record is difficult as so much of their material culture was apparently identical to that of their Christian neighbours. However, there is one subterranean structure, the mikveh, (a bath, entered by steps, in which Orthodox Jews immerse themselves to achieve spiritual cleanliness in various ritual contexts), which is a uniquely Jewish institution, and such is its importance that Jewish practice requires a community to build one before it constructs a synagogue.

Medieval mikva‘ot (the plural of mikveh) in Northern Europe consisted of two types. Firstly, the monumental ones such as Cologne, Speyer and Worms which served the great Rhineland Jewries. Secondly, the smaller ‘cellar’ mikva’ot found at Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, Sondershausen (Germany) and more recently in London. The context of the cellar mikva’ot varied, it appears that some were located within private houses (or possibly private synagogues), while others may have served nearby public synagogues. The aim of this session is to reconsider the evidence for these important monuments and examine their cultural context in the light of recent archaeological discoveries and ongoing research.