For centuries, pilgrims have visited the town of Kafr Kanna in Galilee, venerating it as the biblical site of Jesus Christ’s first miracle—the transformation of water into wine at a wedding in Cana, as described in John 2:1–11. But new archaeological research suggests the real location may lie a few miles north.
Historian Tom McCollough, who taught religion and history at Centre College until his retirement in 2017, has led excavations at a site called Khirbet Qana, which he claims offers the most compelling evidence yet for the historical Cana of Galilee.
“No other village has the ensemble of evidence that makes such a persuasive case for Khirbet Qana,” McCollough told Pen News.
The village of Khirbet Qana was inhabited from approximately 323 B.C. to 324 A.D.—a timeline that includes the years of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The site not only fits the geographic and historical profile described in both Scripture and ancient sources, but also contains archaeological features that reinforce its significance as a place of early Christian pilgrimage.
Excavations at Khirbet Qana uncovered a veneration cave complex—a system of tunnels etched with crosses and references to Christ, dating back more than 1,500 years. McCollough’s team discovered an altar, a shelf, and a large stone vessel, with space for five more—an intriguing detail that resonates with John’s Gospel, which records Jesus instructing servants to fill “six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing” (John 2:6).
“This complex was used beginning in the late fifth or early sixth century and continued to be used by pilgrims into the 12th-century Crusader period,” McCollough said.
Inscriptions found in Koine Greek—the language of the New Testament—include the phrase Kyrie Iesou (“Lord Jesus”). These carvings suggest early Christians understood the site to be of deep significance, a belief confirmed by surviving pilgrim texts that describe similar practices and structures.
“The pilgrim texts we have from this period… match very closely what we have exposed as the veneration complex,” McCollough told Pen News.
Perhaps most compelling is McCollough’s integration of ancient Jewish and Roman sources, particularly the writings of Flavius Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian. According to McCollough, Josephus’ references to Cana align geographically and logically with Khirbet Qana, supporting the theory that this village was a real and recognizable location in the time of Jesus.
McCollough also raises concerns about the late identification of Kafr Kanna as the traditional site. He claims it was not venerated as Cana until the 18th century, when Franciscan missionaries managed Christian pilgrimage routes and may have prioritized accessibility over historical accuracy.
“At this point, the Franciscans were managing Christian pilgrimage and facilitating easy passage rather than historical accuracy,” McCollough said.
As Catholics, we treasure the holy places tied to our Lord’s earthly ministry and venerate them with sincere devotion. But Church tradition also welcomes discoveries that enhance our understanding of sacred Scripture and history. The Church has long taught that faith and reason work together, and archaeological findings like these can affirm the historicity of the Gospels—especially in a time when secular skepticism often dominates public discourse.
McCollough believes the findings “warrant at least a reconsideration of the historical value of John’s references to Cana and Jesus.”
Whether or not Khirbet Qana is definitively confirmed as the biblical Cana, its discovery renews our appreciation for the historical roots of our faith. As Catholics, we are called not only to venerate but to understand—and such discoveries, while not matters of doctrine, can deepen our faith and stir our hearts anew with wonder at the life and miracles of Jesus Christ.
“Our excavations have shown that this was in fact a thriving Jewish village located in the heart of much of Jesus’ life and ministry,” McCollough affirmed. “For the Gospel of John, Cana [was] in some ways Jesus’ safe place or operational center.”
