Summary: Early signs of Christianity are being uncovered recently and may rewrite what we know about how fast and far the Gospel spread.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. – Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
Biblical Blessing from Deuteronomy
Recently, a multitude of the very earliest archaeological signs of Christianity have been unearthed. From the first Christian churches ever built to the oldest Christian amulet found to date, the discoveries may rewrite the history of how fast and how far the Gospel actually spread. New evidence from Israel, Egypt, Italy, Germany, and Armenia will be covered in our next two articles. Here is Part 1 on the exciting find in Israel of a stunning monastery mosaic featuring a Biblical blessing.
A 1,500-year-old monastery, decorated with a spectacular mosaic containing a blessing for those who enter, has been uncovered in central Israel, announced the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) last month. The ancient inscription is written in Greek and comes from the book of Deuteronomy.
Blessed are you when you come in and blessed are you when you go out. – Deut. 28:6
Archaeologists describe the excavations near the city of Kiryat Gat (Biblical Gath) as “the largest and most significant site discovered in the region from the Roman and Byzantine periods.” Along with the impressive monastery and mosaic, ten other buildings were excavated including a sophisticated winepress and a large warehouse.
Byzantine Empire
The archaeological discovery was made during development work for the new “Karmey Gat North” neighborhood. The IAA “invests tens of millions of shekels annually in salvage excavations for various projects across the country, aimed at uncovering and documenting the rich history and archaeology beneath the neighborhoods of the future,” explained director Yaacov Kvint.
The site is located about 35 miles south of Tel Aviv near the city of Kiryat Gat. Dating back to the Byzantine period (5th-6th centuries AD), the monastery unearthed on the site was part of a settlement that existed during the Roman period and flourished for approximately 600 years. Evidence shows continuous habitation in the area from the first century through the late sixth century, with significant expansion during the Byzantine period.
The early settlement is situated on a central road junction connecting the mountain region to the coastal plain, said IAA excavation managers Shira Lifshitz and Maayan Marguli. “It served the area’s smaller settlements and travelers passing by.”
In the 5th century AD, the western half of the Roman Empire crumbled into various feudal kingdoms. The eastern half, which history now refers to as the Byzantine Empire, survived for another 1,000 years as the most powerful economic, cultural, and military force in the Mediterranean world. Later, in 1453, the Ottoman Empire took over, conquering its capital Constantinople.
Unique Monastery Mosaic
The remains of over ten buildings were uncovered at the site but the monastery and its mosaic are the most stunning find. “The mosaic discovered in Kiryat Gat is one of the most unique ever found in Israel,” said Mark Avrahami, Head of Artistic Conservation at the IAA.
Intricate geometric patterns incorporating very small stones that highlight cross-shaped decorations are featured in the striking mosaic floor. In the center is the beautiful Torah blessing written in Greek: “Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out” (Deut. 28:6). Exquisite artwork surrounds the inscription including flowers, doves, lions and an amphora (a two-handled ceramic maritime shipping jug).
Winepress and Other Artifacts
The excavation yielded numerous artifacts indicating a wealthy community, including imported ware, coins, marble elements, and metal and glass vessels. Adjacent to the monastery, archaeologists uncovered a complex winepress that underwent multiple repairs and renovations throughout its use.
The fermentation rooms and collecting vats of the winepress contain mosaic flooring with distinctive blue and white stones. Remnants of red paint can also be seen on the plastered surfaces of the collecting vats. Greek letters, serving as masonry markers for the winepress builders, remain visible on some of the northern collecting vat floor slabs.
“All of these features indicate that building and developing this winery involved significant financial resources, time, and a range of professional work and effort,” stated the IAA Facebook post.
The site appears to have been a center for pottery production also, as evidenced by waste typical of a ceramic factory, garbage pits, misshapen vessels that were flawed in production, and even a number of vessels unique to this site, according to the IAA.
The findings indicate a succession of settlements from the early Roman period through and until the end of the Byzantine period, according to the archaeologists. “The Roman period settlement remains are more limited, but even they display richness in the variety and quality of the finds.” Evidence of significant expansion can be seen during the Byzantine period, including the construction of the monastery and the winepress.
Kiryat Gat (Biblical Gath)
“The discovery of the site highlights the historical richness of Kiryat Gat and its surroundings, shedding light on the centrality of the region in antiquity,” said Svetlana Talis, director of the Southern Region at the IAA.
Kiryat Gat is named for the Biblical city Gath which means “winepress” in Hebrew. Located in southern Israel near the border with Judah, it was one of the five major cities of the Philistines and one of the last refuges of the Anakim (literally, ‘giants’).
And Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction with their cities. There was none of the Anakim left in the land of the people of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod did some remain. – Joshua 11:21-22
Gath is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. David fled to Gath and stayed there for over a year while hiding from King Saul (1 Sam. 27:1-7). During the time of King Solomon, the city of Gath was still ruled by a Philistine king named Achish son of Maacah (1 Kings 2:39). Narrative from 1 Chronicles relates that during the Israelite sojourn in Egypt, sons of Ephraim named Ezer and Elead were killed by men who were natives of Gath, because “they came down to take their livestock” (1 Chron. 7:21).
Conclusion
There are plans to move the mosaic floor from the monastery at the Kiryat Gat site and relocate it to an open area in the city for public viewing. “Transferring mosaics is a complex process that requires great skill and precision,” said Avrahami. “Soon, the ancient mosaic will be moved to the Israel Antiquities Authority’s mosaic workshop for preservation before being displayed in the city.”
IAA director Eli Escusido said: “The urban expansion projects initiated by the Israel Land Authority create opportunities to glimpse into the lives of ancient generations. Together, we strive to present these findings as part of a policy aimed at connecting residents to the historical narratives near their homes.”
Stay tuned for “Earliest Signs of Christianity” Part 2 discussing other ancient archeological Christian discoveries recently uncovered, some of which are even older than the Kiryat Gat site. These finds are sure to keep us thinking!
TOP PHOTO: Archaeologists cleaning the monastery mosaic. (credit: Emil Aladjem/IAA)
