During a military exercise, Israeli soldiers rediscovered a 1,500-year-old monastery complex near the town of Shoham. Parts of the site were accidentally damaged during training, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said Monday.
According to the IAA, which found parts of the ruins from the Byzantine period in 2002 but covered them with earth again for protection, this was taken as an opportunity to excavate the site discovered 20 years ago.
At that time, two buildings had already been uncovered. One included a church with a mosaic floor, as well as an entrance hall, dormitories and an underground burial complex, according to IAA excavator Issy Kornfeld. The other building reportedly contained a kitchen, dining room and pilgrim inn.
“As so often in ancient times, the monastery was built here to commemorate an ancient tradition, possibly the burial place of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel,” Kornfeld said. Some female skeletons were also found during the original excavation. It is believed to have been a women’s monastery.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
