Stunning 1,500-year-old Christian mosaic floor with Greek writing discovered in Jerusalem
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have discovered an intact 1,500-year-old Christian mosaic floor with Greek writing in east Jerusalem, by the city's Damascus Gate.
Archaeologists have discovered an intact 1,500-year-old Christian mosaic floor with Greek writing
It was uncovered below street level by workers who were reportedly digging to lay a cable network.
The mosaic is believed by researchers to be from the floor of a hotel for the city's religious pilgrims.
The pilgrims are believed to have been flocking to Jerusalem as Christianity took hold of the Eastern Roman Empire, which became known as the Byzantine Empire.
The inscription cites 6th-century Roman emperor Justinian as well as Constantine, who served as abbot of a church founded by Justinian in Jerusalem.
The mosaic was uncovered below street level
Archaeologists believe the discovery will help them to further understand Justinian's building projects in the city.
The inscription reads: "In the time of our most pious emperor Flavius Justinian, also this entire building Constantine the most God-loving priest and abbot, established and raised, in the 14th indiction.”
Indiction is an ancient method of counting years that was used for taxation purposes.
The inscription cites 6th-century Roman emperor Justinian as well as Constantine
Archaeologists have said the inscription suggests the mosaic dated back to the year 550/551 AD.
David Gellman, director of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, in a statement said: "The fact that the inscription survived is an archaeological miracle.”
He explained that the archaeological remains in that area had been severely damaged by infrastructure groundwork over decades.
The mosaic was unveiled to the media yesterday
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He said: "We were about to close the excavation when all of a sudden, a corner of the mosaic inscription peeked out between the pipes and cables. Amazingly, it had not been damaged."
He added: “Every archaeologist dreams of finding an inscription in their excavations, especially one so well preserved and almost entirely intact."
The mosaic, which was discovered earlier this summer, was unveiled to the media yesterday.