Remains of ritual bath unearthed

BALTIMORE, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Archaeologists say they have discovered the remains of a Jewish ritual bath complex dating to 1845 in east Baltimore.

Archaeologists said the bath, or "mikveh," was discovered under the historic Lloyd Street Synagogue, and it is believed to be the oldest such bath complex in the United States, The Baltimore Sun reported.

"The idea of a ritual bath complex helps fill out the history of Jewish religious practice in this country," said Avi Decter, executive director of the Jewish Museum of Maryland. "This is a very ancient practice, going back thousands of years."

Ester Doyle Read and students from the University of Maryland are leading the excavations. Read said mikvehs were once an important part of Jewish life.

The baths were used by men before Friday prayers. Women used them for ritual cleansing after their periods and converts were purified before joining the faith.

"It was a very busy place for this small community of German immigrants," Read said.