Israeli archaeologists say they have unearthed the remains of Christian town in northern Israel, which was destroyed by the Persian vanquishment of the area as part of its broader conflict with the Byzantine Empire in 613 CE. Researchers reported their findings in Atiqot, a Hebrew-language research journal published by the Israel Antiquities Authority
Gilad Cinamon, the IAA archaeologist who led the research team for the dig explained that the excavation was conducted in 2007, and it took them several years to study and publish the finds from the Byzantine
The artifacts discovered in the excavation at Pi Maẓuva revealed building complexes, bronze cross, an ashlar limestone lintel with a cross engraving, a high-quality, colorful, seventh-century CE mosaic floor adorned with floral motifs, animal and human figures, and two fragmentary Greek inscriptions. This and other treasures were discovered during road construction works. According to Atiqot
The settlement was mentioned in the 4th-5th century Jerusalem Talmud as a forbidden town and according to Jewish law, were not seen as part of Jewish territory. At the same time, Jewish laws were still enforced on them.
“While for now, we have no documents from Christian sources about this settlement, all the evidence points to an almost entirely Christian population,” The archaeologist told Haaretz.
“After being unearthed in 2007, it is now on display at a local archaeology museum at Kibbutz Ein Dor, near Nazareth.”
“The road was widened and the rest of the site is covered by an olive grove,” Cinamon says. “It is well-preserved underground and hopefully future generations will be able to uncover it again, one day.”
The lead researchers were Gilad Cinamon, Gabriela Bijovsky, Yoav Lerer and Rina Talgam.
