The Israel Antiquities Department unveiled a church adorned with exquisite Byzantine-era mosaic floors in the Jericho area of the West Bank.
Archaeologists have suggested that the construction of the discovered church dates back to the Byzantine era, possibly the sixth century AD, and its existence continued into the early Islamic period.
The icons on the floor of the church were not destroyed or distorted during the entire period of Islamic rule, and the floor of the nave was preserved almost completely, representing a mosaic carpet decorated with a pattern of vines, turning into medallions depicting animals.
At the entrance to the prayer hall, an inscription in Greek was found, more than 3 meters long, consisting of 5 lines. The inscription mentions “Georgios and Nonnos” – public figures who took part in the construction of the church.
The richness of the church, covering an area of about 250 square meters, is evidenced by the finds of elements that are absent in this region and required great effort to bring them, such as marble columns and lattice details made of black bituminous stone.
The massive construction of the church indicates that it was one of the largest regional churches for the Christian population. Unlike the churches destroyed by the 749 AD earthquake, the church had been abandoned a few years earlier and deliberately closed.
Source: i24news
