Pilate Stone

The Pilate Stone is the name given to a block (82 cm x 65 cm) of limestone with a carved inscription dedicated to Pontius Pilate.
The stone was discovered in Israel in 1961 by Italian archaeologists while excavating in an ancient theater. Before the stone was found, many researchers never believed that Pontius Pilate, who gave the order for Jesus to be put on the cross had ever existed as there are no records of him in Rome.
The stone, with a Latin engraving, says praefect of Judea with Pontius Pilate's name clearly engraved on it. The translations say:
To the Divine Augusti [this] Tiberieum
:...Pontius Pilate
:...prefect of Judea
:...has dedicated
Category:Christianity
Category:Ancient History