http://www.nineronline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/09/02/4136467ca63d2

A few weeks ago, religious and archaeological artifacts were found near Ein Kerem, Israel, featuring a cave drawing of John the Baptist that can be dated back to the first century, the earliest on record.
One of UNC Charlotte's professors was there to uncover the ancient artifacts.

Religious Studies professor, James Tabor learned about these drawings from fellow archaeologist Shimon Gibson in late 1999. The cave was originally found by locals who were clearing the land and stumbled on to the ancient cave. Upon further investigation by Gibson, he uncovered a cave drawing that resembled John.

"The man in the drawings, holding a staff, wearing what appears to be clothing made from hair, not cloth, and with one hand raised, is similar to the Gospels descriptions of John," said Tabor.

In 2000, during spring break, Tabor took a team of seven experienced students from UNCC to the cave hoping to find more artifacts to support the John the Baptist theory.

"You could see the drawings on the walls when we started, and you just knew something special was waiting down there," said Tabor.

Indeed, after a week of digging and on the last day of their journey, the team reached the bottom of the cave and found several pieces of pottery apparently used for baptism-like rituals. Tabor believed the cave was used by John to baptize his followers since the walls were covered in plaster that could be used to store water. The cave was found only 2.5 miles away from John's home town of Ein Kerem.

In a five-year span, the team of archaeologists discovered 28 steps leading down into the cave. On the right side, a niche was carved into the rock which is typical of a traditional Jewish bath where followers could place their clothes.

At the end of the steps stood an oval pedestal with a right foot indention imbedded in it. Above that, the team found a soap dish-like niche where they believe the ritual oil was placed to run down onto the believer's foot through a small channel. On the surrounding walls, more images of John can be noticed.

"Unfortunately we have no inscriptions to go by," said Tabor.

Tabor's team also found another significant ancient artifact while in Israel in 2000. While on a hiking trip in the surrounding country side, his students found an old burial site underground that contained the bones of a person dated back to the first century. Along with the bones, his team also found the burial shroud that ancient cultures used to wrap their dead in, a major breakthrough.

Tabor is thrilled about his discovery and is now trying to put together the pieces of the cave's mystery. Despite no specific evidence that links the cave's drawings to John, Tabor believe there is a connection.

"The time frame, the pottery, the oils and water just point to John and the fact that its located right outside of his hometown," signify to Tabor that the cave must belong to John.

Now back on campus, Tabor hopes to return to Israel soon and hopefully with students.

"To discover something like that, its really emotional. To be in a place where history happened. In excavations, it's so much more personal."

This is very interesting. John was clearly a much more significant figure in his lifetime than Jesus was - although we know far less about him - so it would not be wholly unreasonable to expect such a thing. It's the associated implements that give the theory weight, since the picture alone would be more likely to suggest Elijah than John.

By the way, the title of the thread is rather misleading... We already have Biblical evidence for John!