In a remarkable archaeological find, a 1,500-year-old Byzantine monastery, remarkably well-preserved, and an impressive mosaic in its chapel have been uncovered by archaeologists. Along with other important finds, such as a Greek inscription, the discoveries provide invaluable insights into life in the 6th century.
A recent excavation report released by the Israel Antiquities Authority revealed the discovery of a well-preserved Byzantine-era monastery and a rural dwelling in the Naḥal Peḥar area, in what is now the Giv‘ot Bar settlement, south of Be'er Sheva.
According to Nir-Shimshon Paran, the lead archaeologist of the excavation, "The monastery is exceptionally well-preserved and offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the monks in the Negev Desert during the Byzantine period. It featured rudimentary mosaic floors, which may have been laid by the monks themselves."
"Most of the finds in the monastery were discovered on the floors, revealing the site's abandonment during the later Byzantine period and the early Umayyad Caliphate (6th to 7th century AD)," Paran notes.
The archaeologists believe the monastery was likely abandoned as the region transitioned to the early Islamic period, due to diminished security. The monastery complex includes a chapel, a dining hall, kitchen, auxiliary wings, and a wine press. "The main building had sturdy walls, giving it the appearance of a fortified structure," the excavation study explains.
The Greek Inscription
Archaeologists discovered a well-preserved Byzantine monastery in Israel. (Source: Israel Antiquities Authority).
One of the most striking discoveries was a unique mosaic found in the chapel. "At the center of the mosaic, there is a Maltese Cross, and beneath it, within a frame, is a three-line Greek inscription that names the monastery and four monks who lived there," the study explains.
Nearby rooms contain evidence of the daily life of the monastery. Paran notes that a conical hollow in the mosaic may have been used to hold vessels. Among the finds, there are ceramics dating to 460–475 AD and a pot from the late 5th to 7th century.
In an arched area lined with stones, two tombs were uncovered. "At the eastern edge of the southern tomb, a cross was engraved," according to Paran. "Other objects, such as a fallen shrine façade pillar, a copper hook, chains, and glass oil lamps, suggest that the area was used for functional purposes."
Wine Production Workshop and Inscriptions
The kitchen was identified by a 10-centimeter-thick layer of ash, indicating that it was a cooking area, complete with tables. "Under the table, the lower half of a storage jar was sunk into the floor, possibly used as an oven (ṭabun)," the study reports.
The monastery also housed a wine production workshop. "In the northeastern part of the auxiliary sections, a winepress floor (5.7 × 6.0 m) was uncovered, sloping to the south." The excavation revealed a plastered trench for fermentation and settling of the must, as well as a possible storage tank.
The discovered inscriptions include two epitaphs written in red-brown ink, verifying that the site was used for burial.
The Rural Dwelling
A Greek inscription names the monastery and four monks. (Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority).
Archaeologists also uncovered a rural dwelling from the same period, located just south of the monastery. One structure included a rectangular watchtower with a small room. On the floor, a coin was found dating to the first half of the 6th century AD.
"The monastery and the farmhouse were contemporary... it seems that both structures were abandoned at the end of the Byzantine period (late 6th to early 7th century AD)," Paran notes.
The findings were published in volume 116 of the journal Atiqot by the Israel Antiquities Authority.
This discovery sheds light on the monastic life of the desert in the region over 1,400 years ago, offering valuable evidence of the daily lives of the monks who lived there during the Byzantine period.
