Archaeologists have uncovered a 1,500-year old church in the Judean
Hills in Israel.
The well-preserved mosaic floors depict beautiful
pictures of animals, such as lions, foxes, fish and peacocks.
The
Byzantine church was discovered southwest of Jerusalem, and was
excavated over the last two months.
Archaeologists plan to cover the
structure with soil in order to protect the find.
Authorities
say that the basilica with an exquisitely decorated floor was active
between the fifth and seventh centuries A.D.
The dig's leader, Amir
Ganor of the Israel Antiquities Authority says the floor was "one of the
most beautiful mosaics to be uncovered in Israel in recent years.
"It is unique in its craftsmanship and level of preservation," he said.
Archaeologists began digging at the Hirbet Madras in December.
The
Antiquities Authority had discovered months earlier that antiquities
thieves had begun plundering the ruins, which sit on a hill not far from
an Israeli farming community.
Originally thought to be a synagogue, the excavation revealed stones
carved with crosses, identifying it as a church.
The building had been
built atop another structure around 500 years older, dating to Roman
times, when scholars believe the settlement was inhabited by Jews.
Underneath that structure is a network of tunnels that archaeologists
believe were used by Jewish rebels fighting Roman armies in the second
century A.D.
Stone steps lead down from the floor of church to a small burial
cave, which scholars suggest might have been venerated as the burial
place of the Old Testament prophet Zecharia.
Ganor said the church would remain covered until funding was obtained to open it as a tourist site.
Israel boasts an exceptionally high concentration of archaeological
sites, including Crusader, Islamic, Byzantine, Roman, ancient Jewish and
prehistoric ruins.