The Biblical verse, from Deuteronomy 28:6, reads: "Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out."
Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities AuthorityThe mosaic was found at a compound built during the Byzantine era between the fifth and sixth centuries C.E.
During excavations north of the Israeli city of Kiryat Gat, archaeologists uncovered a sprawling compound from the Byzantine era that contained 10 buildings, including a monastery, a winepress, and a warehouse. But the most incredible find was the monastery floor, an intricate mosaic that features a Biblical verse.
The verse offers a blessing to all who see it, and archaeologists say it’s one of the most unique mosaics they’ve ever uncovered in Israel.
“Blessed Are You When You Come In”: The Biblical Mosaic Found At Kiryat Gat
Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities AuthorityThe archaeological site near Kiryat Gat.
According to a Facebook post from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the compound was discovered during development work in preparation for the establishment of a new neighborhood. Constructed during the Byzantine era, between the fifth and sixth centuries C.E., and connected to an even older Roman settlement, the compound immediately struck archaeologists as extraordinary.
“This is the largest and most significant site discovered in the region from the Roman and Byzantine periods,” IAA archaeologists said.
And the most significant find at the site quickly proved to be the monastery. During their excavations, archaeologists realized that the monastery floor was adorned with an intricately detailed mosaic unlike anything that had ever been uncovered in the region before.
Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities AuthorityArchaeologists uncovering the Biblical mosaic at the Kiryat Gat archaeological site.
“The mosaic discovered in Kiryat Gat is one of the most unique ever found in Israel,” Mark Avrahami, Head of Artistic Conservation at the Israel Antiquities Authority, remarked in the IAA Facebook post.
According to the IAA, the mosaic includes “crosses, lions, doves, an amphora, flowers, and geometric patterns.” The geometric patterns also include “very small mosaic stones” which seek to “highlight the cross-shaped decorations.” But perhaps the most striking thing about the mosaic is its ancient inscription, a Bible verse in Greek, which reads: “Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out.”
The mosaic may be the most eye-catching part of the compound, but it’s far from the only thing that archaeologists unearthed.
Other Astonishing Finds At The Kiryat Gat Archaeological Site
Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities AuthorityAn IAA archaeologist holds up a rare ceramic bottle shaped like a face.
In addition to the monastery, archaeologists also explored the site’s “sophisticated” winepress, which showed signs of being repaired several times over the years. It too had a mosaic floor, located in the fermentation room, which was constructed using blue and white stones. They also collected a number of objects from the compound, including a “great quantity of imported ware, coins, marble elements, metal and glass vessel.”
Both the compound and the objects found there, IAA explained, suggested that the community that once lived at the site was wealthy and of high status.
Indeed, the settlement was once situated on a central road that seemingly once served both nearby smaller settlements and travelers who passed through the area. It was apparently used from the early Roman era in the first century C.E., though the fall of Rome, and until the end of the Byzantine era.
Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities AuthorityA part of the compound, which was used for centuries between the Roman and the Byzantine periods.
Now, archaeologists’ goal is to remove the mosaic — a complex and delicate process — so that it may be viewed by the public.
After reading about the Biblical mosaic that was unearthed during archaeological excavations in Israel, go inside the complicated story of when the Bible was written. Then, read about the debate over the location of Golgotha, the site named in the Bible as the place where Jesus Christ was crucified.
