A sprawling Byzantine-era monastery complex featuring a rare mosaic floor inscribed with a biblical quote has been uncovered near the southern city of Kiryat Gat, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced on Monday. The site, which includes a wine-making facility and a wealth of artifacts, is being hailed as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the region from the Byzantine period.
The monastery, previously unknown to researchers, was discovered during infrastructure work for a new neighborhood north of Kiryat Gat. The complex dates primarily to the Byzantine era (5th–6th centuries CE), though an earlier layer from the late Roman period, approximately 600 years prior, was also identified.
The centerpiece of the discovery is a stunning mosaic floor adorned with intricate designs, including crosses, lions, doves, an amphora (a ceramic shipping jug), flowers, and geometric patterns, all crafted from tiny stones. At its center lies a Greek inscription quoting Deuteronomy 28:6: “Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out.”
Mark Avrahami, head of artistic conservation at the IAA, described the mosaic as “one of the most unique ever found in Israel.” The mosaic will be carefully removed and transported to the IAA’s conservation workshop for preservation before being returned to Kiryat Gat for public display.Adjacent to the monastery, archaeologists uncovered a large and advanced wine press, which had undergone multiple repairs over time. According to researchers, the wine press’s construction and maintenance required substantial financial investment, skilled labor, and significant effort.
The fermentation rooms featured mosaic floors with integrated blue and white stones, while the plastered surfaces of the collecting vats retained traces of red paint. Some of the slabs in the northern collecting vat bore Greek letters, believed to have served as construction markers for the builders.
The site, which includes the monastery and its surrounding community, is located at a strategic crossroads connecting the mountainous region to the coastal plain. Shira Lifshitz and Maayan Margulis, IAA excavation directors, noted that the settlement likely served both local residents and travelers passing through the area.
Artifacts recovered from the site, including imported pottery, coins, marble elements, and metal and glass vessels, underscore the settlement’s prosperity and importance. Additionally, evidence of a local pottery industry was found, including production waste, flawed vessels, and unique ceramics specific to the site.
The area was first developed during the late Roman period (1st century CE) and expanded significantly during the Byzantine era, when the monastery and wine press were constructed. Kiryat Gat, a modern city of approximately 65,000 residents, is also home to Tel Erani, an ancient settlement dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, believed to have been a Philistine city. Notably, the name “Gat” means “winepress” in Hebrew, reflecting the region’s long-standing connection to viticulture.
The discovery of the monastery and its associated artifacts provides new insights into the cultural, religious, and economic life of the Byzantine period in southern Israel, highlighting the region’s historical significance as a hub of activity and trade.
You Might Be Interested In:
- Bible Supplies Hosts Book Signing Event with Author Nikki Plummer
- Bibles for China Distributes Children’s Bibles in North America
- Bible Courses May Be Introduced in Upstate Public Schools