Sat. Feb 8th, 2025

Byzantine monastery discovered in northern Kiryat Gat

An ancient glass vessel discovered at the site. Photo: Shira Lifshitz, Israel Antiquities Authority.An ancient glass vessel discovered at the site. Photo: Shira Lifshitz, Israel Antiquities Authority.

During development work for the creation of a new neighborhood called Karmey Gat North, north of Kiryat Gat, Israel, a Byzantine monastery with an impressive colored mosaic and an inscription in Greek was discovered. 

The discovery, made during excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority, also includes a sophisticated wine press with mosaic floors in the fermentation rooms and traces of red paint on the plastered surfaces and other buildings dating to the Roman and Byzantine periods. The central inscription on the mosaic reads “Blessed will you be when you enter and blessed will you be when you leave,” surrounded by lions, doves, amphorae, flowers and geometric patterns. 

The monastery, dating from the 600th to XNUMXth centuries AD, is part of a settlement that was active for around XNUMX years. According to Shira Lifshitz and Maayan Margulis, who led the excavations, the site was located at a key intersection connecting the mountainous region with the coastal plain.

Svetlana Talis, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority’s southern region, said that “the discovery highlights the historical richness of Kiryat Gat and its surroundings, underlining the region’s centrality in antiquity. The mosaic will be moved to an open space in the city and made accessible to the public.”

The mosaic will be taken to a specialized workshop for conservation before being exhibited to the public.

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