Bet Shemesh (Israel) (AFP)
The remains of a 6th century Byzantine church dedicated to an anonymous "glorious martyr" with elaborate mosaics, a rare crypt and a large collection of lamps were presented on Wednesday in central Israel.
The site, which covers an area of about 1500 m2, was discovered during excavations carried out before the construction of a new district of the city of Bet Shemesh, west of Jerusalem.
The colorful mosaics of the church represent themes of nature, such as leaves, birds and fruit, as well as geometric shapes, with "impressive" capitals surmounting pillars, according to the Israeli Antiquities Authority, who conducted the excavations.
The construction of the church was largely carried out under the reign of Emperor Justinian, who ruled between 527 and 565, with the addition of a chapel under Emperor Tiberius II Constantine, and which greatly contributed development of the site, said the Antiquities Authority in a statement.
An underground funerary chamber and two separate stairways leading to it were found, making it one of the few churches with entirely intact crypts within Israel's borders, said Benjamin Storchan, who leads the excavations started there. three years ago.
The church was dedicated to a "glorious martyr" whose identity is unknown.
"The exceptional size of the structure and the inscriptions on it indicate the importance of this martyr," said Storchan.
Archaeologists have also discovered what they consider to be "the most complete collection of Byzantine glass and lamps ever found on the same site in Israel".
The Museum of Bible Lands in Jerusalem, which is organizing an exhibition on some of these discoveries, said that lighting in churches, often perceived as "the representation of the divine," amplified "the dramatic atmosphere of a powerful religious experience ".
Given its location near Jerusalem, the "glorious martyr" church was probably an important pilgrimage site for Christians on their way to the holy city, according to the museum.
© 2019 AFP