A 1,500-year-old church with a mosaic floor inscribed with a Bible verse has been discovered near Kiryat Gat, Israel during a salvage excavation for new construction.
The church, dating to the 5th or 6th century, has a Greek inscription quoting Deuteronomy 28:6, “Blessed shall you be entering and departing.” The colorful mosaic includes depictions of crosses, lions, doves, flower and an amphora.
Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) also revealed a multitude of nearby structures, including a winepress and a large warehouse, as well as evidence of pottery production.
The winepress contained mosaic-floored fermentation rooms and vats marked with Greek construction guides. Imported ceramics, coins, glass vessels and marble fragments reportedly suggest a significant community once thrived at the site.
The church’s mosaic floor, made with small tesserae, is said to showcase remarkable craftsmanship. “The mosaic discovered in Kiryat Gat is one of the most unique ever found in Israel,” said Mark Avrahami, Head of Artistic Conservation at the IAA, according to The Jerusalem Post. The mosaic will be preserved and relocated to a public space for future viewing.
The site had a strategic location at a key road junction, which connected travelers and nearby settlements, supporting its importance in the Roman and Byzantine time period.
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