A 1,500-year-old monastery with an inscription from the Book of Deuteronomy in ancient Greek has been unearthed in southern Israel, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Monday.
The Byzantine-period monastery, uncovered near the city of Kiryat Gat, about 35 miles south of Tel Aviv, includes one of the most unusual mosaics ever found in Israel with the biblical verse, “Blessed are you when you come in and blessed are you when you go out” (Deuteronomy 28:6), according to the state-run archaeological body.
The monastery’s colorful mosaic floor features crosses, lions, doves, an amphora (a ceramic maritime shipping jug), flowers and geometric patterns. The biblical inscription in Greek is set in its center.
The excavation, which was carried out ahead of the construction of a new neighborhood, revealed the remains of at least 10 buildings, including the monastery, a winepress and a large warehouse building.
“This is the largest and most significant Roman and Byzantine period site uncovered in this area,” said Israel Antiquities Authority excavation managers Shira Lifshitz and Maayan Margulis.
The monastery, dated to the 5th-6th centuries CE, was built within a preexisting Roman-period site and continued to function for approximately 600 years.
“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,” said Svetlana Talis, director of the Southern Region at the Israel Antiquities Authority.
The mosaic floor will be relocated to an open area in the city and made accessible to the public.