Greek Biblical Inscription Found in Ancient Mosaic Floor Discovered in Israel

Archaeologists have unearthed a significant Hellenistic Byzantine-era site in Israel. The site reveals the ruins of several ancient buildings, including a winepress, a large warehouse, and what is believed to be a monastery, complete with a vibrant mosaic floor. Notably, the mosaic includes a Greek biblical inscription from Deuteronomy: “Blessed are you when you come in and blessed are you when you go out.”

The discovery was made during an excavation before the construction of a new residential neighbourhood near Kiryat Gat. According to a statement from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the monastery dates back to the fifth or sixth century C.E., during the height of the Byzantine Empire.

“This is the largest and most significant site discovered in the region from the Roman and Byzantine periods,” said excavation leaders Shira Lifshitz and Maayan Margulis.

The site appears to have been continuously inhabited from the early Roman period (around the first century C.E.) through the end of the Byzantine period (late sixth century C.E.). It may have had its earliest human occupation as far back as 6,000 years ago, during the Chalcolithic era (Copper Age).

The monastery's ruins include many artifacts, including imported goods, metal and glass containers, coins, and marble objects. The mosaic floor in the building’s central aisle features intricate designs of crosses, lions, doves, flowers, geometric shapes, and an amphora (an ancient jug) alongside the Bible verse in Greek.

The mosaic itself is a particularly unique find. Lifshitz noted that the floor consists of clusters of very small stones, a feature not commonly seen in Israeli archaeological sites. Mark Avrahami, head of artistic conservation at the IAA, called the mosaic “one of the most unique ever found in Israel.” It will be conserved and eventually put on public display, though this process will require careful work and precision.

Svetlana Talis, director of the IAA's Southern District, said the discovery “highlights the historical richness of Kiryat Gat and its surroundings, shedding light on the region’s centrality in antiquity.”

In addition to the mosaic, the site boasts a “very sophisticated” winepress, complete with fermentation rooms and collecting vats. The discovery of pottery fragments suggests that the settlement included a ceramics factory.

So far, the excavation has uncovered the remains of ten buildings, but the full extent of the site’s size is still unknown. As Margulis commented, "We just began to excavate the site."

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