According to the IAA Website and The times of Israel Website, what is now believed to be an early Christian church located in the ancient Jewish village, which appears in contemporary texts. Next to the village were discovered remains of the Roman Legion VI Ferrata camp and a city named Maximianopolis.
In 2004-2008, Dr. Yotam Tepper headed excavations at the prison ahead of the proposed expansion. Now, in light of the significant archaeological finds including one mentioning an army officer who contributed toward the paving of the floor and another dedicated to the memory of four women, discussions are well underway to relocate the entire prison complex, re-expose the mosaics underneath and build a Christian tourist site.
“This structure is interpreted as the oldest Christian prayer house in the world… and in fact, it tells the story of Christianity even before it became official,” according to the IAA’s Facebook page.
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