I can't remember if it came up in any detail in the discussion on
Jacob's Wells on the list a couple of weeks ago, but there was a mention
of the Bristol example on the history-of-England's-Jews programme which
began on Radio 4 last night. The archaeologist was '100% sure' (which
must be a first in itself) that the site is a ritual Mikvah or bathing
pool dating possibly from the end of the 11th century, and making it the
earliest in Europe. The discussion included a useful statement about the
water itself not being sanctified, just the ritual context in which it
was used.
James
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