Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) say they have unearthed a 1,500-year-old Christian church with a magnificent mosaic and five inscriptions at an archaeological site near Moshav Aluma, a settlement about 70 km to the south-west of Jerusalem.
One of the magnificent mosaic floors uncovered at an archaeological site near Moshav Aluma, Israel. Image credit: Yoli Shwartz / Israel Antiquities Authority.
“An impressive basilica building is 22 m long and 12 m wide. The building consists of a central hall with two side aisles divided by marble pillars. At the front of the building is a wide open courtyard (atrium) paved with a white mosaic floor, and with a cistern. Leading off the courtyard is a rectangular transverse hall (narthex) with a fine mosaic floor decorated with colored geometric designs; at its center, opposite the entrance to the main hall, is a twelve-row dedicatory inscription in Greek containing the names Mary and Jesus, and the name of the person who funded the mosaic’s construction,” said Dr Daniel Varga of the IAA.
“The church probably served as a center of Christian worship for neighboring communities.”
One of the stunning mosaics found at the site. Image credit: Yoli Shwartz / Israel Antiquities Authority.
“The main hall (the nave) has a colored mosaic floor adorned with vine tendrils to form forty medallions.”
The medallions contain depictions of different animals, including: zebra, leopard, turtle, wild boar, various winged birds and botanical and geometric designs.
“Three medallions contain dedicatory inscriptions in Greek commemorating senior church dignitaries: Demetrios and Herakles. The two were heads of the local regional church.”
“On both sides of the central nave are two narrow halls (side aisles), which also have colored mosaic floors depicting botanical and geometric designs, as well as Christian symbols.”
Stunning mosaic floors uncovered at the site near Moshav Aluma, Israel. Image credit: Yoli Shwartz / Israel Antiquities Authority.
“This church is part of a large and important Byzantine settlement that existed in the region.”
The IAA team also unearthed a pottery workshop and numerous artifacts, including: amphorae, cooking pots, kraters, bowls, different kinds of oil lamps and Byzantine glass vessels.
“Wine presses and pottery workshops found in the region attest to the economy of the local residents during the Byzantine period, who made their living from the production and exportation of wine via the coast to the entire Mediterranean region,” the archaeologists said.
