More on Megiddo Prison Find

September 5, 2006

In August, just prior to the cease-fire, the Ministry of Tourism sponsored a trip to Megiddo prison to introduce Christian leaders in the Land to the amazing site, to see if they thought it would be a good tourist attraction for Christians. We agreed wholeheartedly that it would.

Site archaeologist Totam Tepper said they are now calling the third-century mosaic area (5 x 10 meters or 15 x 30 feet) a Christian “prayer hall” instead of a church, as there were no church buildings built until the fourth century. The surrounding area revealed an amazing community of pagans, Christians, Jews, and Romans, all living together in segregated areas, quite a unique find.

The four mosaics, all extremely well preserved, were, in fact, seemingly miraculously preserved. We were shown places where fence posts had been driven and huge holes made by construction crews, all narrowly missing the mosaic floor, which at the time was hidden below the surface.

The Israel Antiquities Authority owns the site, but the Ministry of Tourism would develop it. However, it’s a very expensive venture, especially if they were to move the prison, but preserve it––they must.

Source: By Charleeda Sprinkle