Archaeological excavations in Israel, the Early Church in Galilee

In Nazareth and raised Jesus, on a few kilometers to the East of the mountain of Tabor, he received the Gospels of his divine countenance, and, centuries later, should authorize large parts of Galilee Christian. Researchers suggest around a hundred churches from the Byzantine period in this part of modern-day Israel. Galilee has for centuries been plowed, and be so full of sacred artifacts that, prior to virtually any new construction project, the Israeli antiquity authority allows the soil to browse.

Jochen Stahnke

Political correspondent for Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan, with headquarters in Tel Aviv.

Now archaeologists have found in explorations for the construction of a Playground on a hill in the small town of Kfar Kama, the remains of another Church. According to the senior archaeologist Nurit Feig is a construction Dating from the sixth or seventh century, a time in Galilee, many churches were built. However, at the foot of Tabor churches were rare, says Feig. The diameter of the ground plan of the twelve and 36 meters, an indication of a medium-sized construction. Remarkably, the three apses and the part of the well-preserved floor mosaic were. A stone relic chest proved to be empty. A similar chest containing human bones were discovered, scientists in the sixties in Kfar Kama exposed Church.

The found Church complex appears to be larger. Investigations with ground-penetrating radar suggest more rooms. The researchers suggest that there is a monastery on the outskirts of a village has traded its old Name is no longer known. The Church was soon after its construction leaving, presumed to be Cowardly, because to your point, no other habitation: artifacts are not kicked out of other eras, the archaeologists found. Nevertheless, the time of leaving is generally the time of the arrival of the Omajjaden in the area, such as near Kfar Kama found in early Islamic relics show.

Is connected the archaeological site with the Playground?

After their discovery and exploration of the mosaics are filled in may be back soon with earth. Because according to current planning, will occur about you in the new children's Playground. Feig proposes to preserve the archaeological site and to connect with the Playground. Today, the end of Muslim life in the environment, primarily from the Caucasus Circassians. They came to the end of the nineteenth century to Kfar Kama, one of the two Circassian varieties in Israel.