Ancient pit stop with spiritual ties uncovered in Israel

Archaelogists discover large Byzantine era church.

Ruins of a probable ancient travelers rest stop was found in Israel, as construction workers did an excavation during a road widening project on the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. Archaeologists believe the ruins are similar to a modern day establishment where spiritual services might have been offered.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - The large Byzantine era church, within the excavated area, was found to bear a baptismal font in the shape of a four-leaf clover symbolizing the cross in the northeastern corner, according to the announcement of the Israel Antiquities Authority as cited in The Blaze report.

Red plaster fragments found with the debris suggest the ancient church was decorated with frescoes, explained the agency's spokesperson Yoli Shwartz.

"To the west of the church were rooms that were most likely used for dwelling and for storage. In one of the rooms, an abundance of pottery tiles were found," added Shwartz. Archaeologists also found other things like oil lamps, coins and some mother of pearl shells within the stop's ruins.

Annette Nagar, the excavation director, explained that the establishment was constructed in the Byzantine era alongside the road and the coastal plain near the Mediterranean Sea.

"Along this road, which was probably established in the Roman period, settlements and road stations that serviced travelers have been previously discovered," expressed Nagar, adding that like the recent discovery at the entrance to Abu Ghosh, this ancient establishment may have offered church services.

In order to preserve the discovered ruins, archaeologists are now working with Israel's National Roads Company, which is in charge of the road widening project on the highway, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority-Judea regional director Pablo Betzer.

Reports believe that the tradition of putting up churches by the road near rest stops is a practice continued to this day, catering for travelers of various faith.

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