Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) have discovered the remains of a Byzantine monastery with a colorful mosaic floor and Greek inscriptions, an ancient wine press, and other buildings at the Israel Antiquities Authority, Kiryat Gat, Israel.
IAA archaeologists clean ancient mosaics in a Byzantine monastery in Kiryat Ghat, Israel. Image credit: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority.
“This is the largest and most important Roman and Byzantine site ever discovered in this region,” IAA archaeologists Sheila Lifshitz and Marjan Margulis said in a statement.
“Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out (Deuteronomy 20:6).. ” This was written on the floor of a colorful monastery discovered during extensive excavations carried out before the establishment of a new district north of the modern city of Kiryat Ghat. ”
Researchers found the remains of at least 10 buildings, including a monastery, a wine press, and a large warehouse building.
“The monastery dates back to the Byzantine period (5th-6th century AD) and is part of an ancient site that already existed in Roman times and lasted for about 600 years,” they said.
“The monastery and its surroundings retain a large amount of imported pottery, coins, marble elements, and metal and glass vessels, all of which testify to the presence of a rich and important community here. I am.”
“The mosaic floor of the monastery is decorated with crosses, lions, doves, amphorae, flowers, and geometric patterns.”
The research team also discovered a sophisticated wine press that had been built and repaired many times over the years.
The mosaic floor of the fermentation chamber and recovery tank incorporates blue and white stones.
The floor of the north collection tank was made of slabs, on some of which you can still see the Greek letters used to mark the masonry of the winepress builders.
All these features indicate that the construction and development of this winery required a lot of money, time, and the work and efforts of various professionals.
“Early settlements were located at the intersection of central roads connecting mountainous areas and coastal plains,” the scientists said.
“It was clearly serving small communities and passing tourists in the area.”
“This is the largest and most important Roman and Byzantine ruin discovered in the area.”
“This discovery indicates that there was a series of settlements from the early Roman period (1st century AD) to the end of the Byzantine period (late 6th century AD).”
Source: www.sci.news
