BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

Exquisite Byzantine Monastery Discovered

Early Christian settlement found during salvage excavation

Remains of the Byzantine monastery. Courtesy Emil Aladjam, IAA.

Archaeologists with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) uncovered the remains of an exquisite Byzantine monastery and a nearby town during development works to expand the city of Kiryat Gat in southern Israel. The monastery, dating to the end of the Byzantine period (fifth–sixth centuries CE), continues to shed light on the region’s early Christian communities.

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Byzantine Christianity

Mosaic floor of the monastery. Courtesy Emil Aladjem, IAA.

One of the most impressive finds within the Byzantine monastery is its marvelous mosaic floor, described by the IAA’s head conservator, Mark Avrahami, as “one of the most unique ever found in Israel.” The mosaic features crosses, lions, doves, flowers, an amphora, and geometric designs. In the center of the mosaic is a Greek inscription quoting Deuteronomy 28:6: “Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out.” The mosaic’s geometric patterns incorporate very small mosaic stones, which serve to highlight the cross-shaped decorations.

In addition to the monastery, the IAA uncovered the remains of at least nine other buildings, including an elaborate winepress and a large warehouse. It is estimated that these finds belonged to a settlement that thrived in the area for around 600 years, from the first century CE until the end of the Byzantine period. While the Roman period (c. 37 BCE–324 CE) finds display rich quality and variety, the Byzantine finds are more numerous and impressive, including the monastery and winepress.

The winepress features a mosaic floor of blue and white stones in its fermentation rooms and collection vat. The collection vat also retains remnants of red paint. According to the IAA, the construction of the winepress likely involved significant resources, time, and effort.

The large wine press discovered near Kiryat Gat. Courtesy Emil Aladjem, IAA.

Other finds included a large amount of imported pottery, coins, marble pieces, and metal and glass vessels. There is also evidence of pottery production, such as ceramic detritus, garbage pits, flawed or misshapen “wasters,” and even a number of unique vessels. All of this attests to the rich and significant community that lived at the site.

According to the IAA’s excavation directors, Shira Lifshitz and Maayan Margulis, “The early settlement is on a central road junction connecting the mountain region to the coastal plain. It apparently served the area’s smaller settlements as well as travelers passing by. This is the largest and most significant Roman and Byzantine period site uncovered in this area.”

A toy statue of a horse from the Byzantine period. Courtesy Shira Lipshitz, IAA.

This is not the first early Christian building discovered in the area, however. Around 15 miles to the south, the IAA uncovered a small Byzantine church connected to a rich farming estate. Like the monastery, that church also went out of use at the end of the Byzantine period but was replaced by a mosque shortly after the Islamic conquest.

The finds in Kiryat Gat were made during a salvage excavation, in anticipation of a northern expansion of the town. Although some of the finds will be covered over to make way for the expansion, other finds, including the mosaic, will be removed, conserved, and put on display in the city for residents to learn more about the area’s rich history.

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