SMALL WOODEN AND BRONZE CROSS FROM BYZANTINE ERA, 1997-01-22 (photo)

A small bronze cross with inlaid wood is held be an archaeologist January 22 at the site below the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem where it was dug up last week. The cross dates from the Byzantine era, or between the 4th and 5th centuries AD, and is of particular interest because it is the first cross to be unearthed with wooden pieces in it. The cross was excavated from an area outside the Old City walls below the Jaffa Gate during a $5-million excavation from the Old City walls to the Mamilla housing project and the archaeologist in charge of the project, Rony Reich, said he does not believe the inlaid wooden pieces were part of the Holy Cross of Jesus. MIDEAST CROSS