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Impressive archaeological finds, including a major church some 1,500 years old with a magnificent mosaic and five inscriptions, were uncovered during Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) excavations, prior to the construction of a new neighborhood at Moshav Aluma (Israel’s southern coastal plain). The excavations were directed by Dr. Daniel Varga and Dr. Davida Dagan.
According to Dr. Varga, “An impressive basilica building was discovered at the site, 22 meters (72 ft) long and 12 meters (39 ft) 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 fine mosaic floor decorated with colored geometric designs; opposite the entrance to the main hall, is a twelve-row dedicatory inscription in Greek.”
The main hall has a colored mosaic floor adorned with vine tendrils to form forty medallions. The medallions contain depictions of different animals and botanical and geometric designs. Three medallions contain dedicatory inscriptions commemorating senior church dignitaries. On both sides of the central nave are two narrow halls, which also have colored mosaic floors depicting botanical and geometric designs, as well as Christian symbols.
This church is part of an important Byzantine settlement located next to the main road running between Ashkelon on the sea coast to the west, and Beit Guvrin and Jerusalem to the east. Excavations by the IAA along this road have revealed other communities from the same period, but no churches have been found in them. The recently uncovered church may have served as a center for Christian worship for all the surrounding communities. Wine presses and pottery workshops found in the region attest to the economy of the local residents during the Byzantine period.
It has been decided to cover the site over and preserve it for future generations. The magnificent mosaic that has come to light will be conserved, removed from the site and displayed at a regional museum or visitors' center.
Source: Excerpts of article by Edgar Asher, Ashernet
Photo Credit: Ashernet/Yoli Shwartz, IAA
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