Archaeologist claims ancient pilgrims' accounts pinpoint the 'true site' where Jesus was baptised on Jordan's east bank

Professor Mohammad Waheeb of Jordan's Hashemite University places the spot at Bethany beyond the Jordan, known as Al-Maghtas, five miles north of the Dead Sea. Digs from 1996 to 2002 unearthed churches, baptismal pools, prayer halls and water systems. He matched the ruins to writings by the Pilgrim of Bordeaux in AD 333 and Theodosius in AD 530. His study appeared in an Egyptian archaeology journal.

Theodosius wrote: 'From the site where the Lord was baptised... there are five miles.'

The exact baptism location has been fought over by scholars for centuries.

Researchers found signs that people lived there in the first century, when Jesus lived.