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Maayan Margulis and Shira Lifshitz clean the mosaic. Emil Aladjem / Israel Antiquities AuthorityArchaeologists have uncovered an ancient complex of ruinedByzantine-era buildings in Israel. The structures include a winepress, a large warehouse and what may be a monastery boasting a colorful mosaic floor. The floor features a Greek inscription from Deuteronomy: Blessed are you when you come in and blessed are you when you go out.The ruins were discovered during excavations ahead of construction for a new neighborhood near the city of Kiryat Gat. According to astatement from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the monastery dates to the fifth or sixth century C.E., when the region was part of theByzantine Empire.This is the largest and most significant site discovered in the region from the Roman and Byzantine periods, say excavation managersShira Lifshitz andMaayan Margulis in the statement. The site was found near the city ofKiryat Gat. Emil Aladjem / Israel Antiquities AuthorityThe researchers think the site was continuously occupied from the early Roman period (around the first century C.E.) until the end of the Byzantine period (in the late sixth century C.E.). However, as Margulis tellsHaaretzs Ruth Schuster, the sites first human occupation may have occurred some 6,000 years ago, during theChalcolithic era, or the Copper Age.During the first few centuries C.E., Christianity slowlyspread through the Roman Empire. In the 300s, the emperor Constantine I converted to Christianity, and a new Byzantine capital was founded in his name:Constantinople, which heralded the beginning of Byzantiums golden age.One of the ruined buildings at the newly discovered site may have been a monastery. Among its remains, archaeologists found imported wares, metal and glass containers, coins and marble artifacts. In the buildings main aisle, they also unearthed a decorative mosaic floor featuring crosses, lions, doves, flowers, geometric patterns, an amphora (an ancient jug) and the Bible verse. The mosaic contains clusters of small stones. Emil Aladjem / Israel Antiquities AuthorityThe monasterys mosaic floor contains clusters of very small, delicately placed stones, Lifshitz tells Haaretzwhich arent common in Israeli archaeology.The mosaic discovered in Kiryat Gat is one of the most unique ever found in Israel, says Mark Avrahami, the IAAs head of artistic conservation, in the statement. The team plans to put the tiled design on public display, but transferring mosaics is a complex process that requires great skill and precision.The mosaic will first be taken to a workshop for conservation, then placed in an open area of Kiryat Gat where the public can view it, says Svetlana Talis, the IAAs southern district director, in the statement.The discovery of the site highlights the historical richness of Kiryat Gat and its surroundings, shedding light on the centrality of the region in antiquity, Talis says.The sites other treasures include a very sophisticated wine press, complete with fermentation rooms and collecting vats. Its development and upkeep likely required significant financial resources, time and a range of professional work and effort, per the statement. Pottery artifacts and fragments suggest that the settlement may have included a ceramics factory.The excavation has revealed the remains of ten buildings so far, and the settlements true size remains to be seen. As Margulis tells Haaretz, We just began to excavate the site.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Ancient Civilizations, Ancient Rome, Archaeology, Artifacts, Byzantine Empire, Christianity, Cool Finds, History, Israel, Middle East , Religion, Roman Empire
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