Bible and archaeology news
In a recent press release, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the discovery of a Byzantine-period monastery with colorful, well-preserved mosaics near the Bedouin village of Hura in the northern Negev desert.
IAA archaeologists uncovered the monastery, measuring 65 by 115 feet with halls built along an east–west axis, during salvage excavations. The most impressive mosaics were found in the monastery’s dining room and prayer hall. Floral motifs, geometric decorations, amphorae, baskets and a pair of birds decorate the dining room’s mosaic floor. Blue, red, yellow and green mosaic leaf patterns adorn the prayer hall.
The mosaic floors include four dedicatory inscriptions in Greek referencing Eliyahu, Nonus, Solomon and Ilrion—abbots of the monastery. The inscriptions also indicate the dates of when the mosaic pavements were laid, which helped the archaeologists date the monastery to the second half of the sixth century C.E.
“It seems that this monastery, located near the Byzantine settlement of Horbat Hur, is one monastery in a series of monasteries situated alongside a road that linked Transjordan with the Be’er Sheva Valley,” said excavation director Daniel Varga.
The IAA in coordination with the Netivei Israel Company, Hura municipality and Wadi ‘Attir Association plans to relocate the monastery and its mosaics to the nearby Wadi ‘Attir agricultural and tourism project.
Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update.
Dig into the world of Bible history with a BAS All-Access membership. Biblical Archaeology Review in print. AND online access to the treasure trove of articles, books, and videos of the BAS Library. AND free Scholar Series lectures online. AND member discounts for BAS travel and live online events.
Subscribe Today
[…] ABBA, Y’Shua and me […]