Ancient church discovered at site where Ark of the Covenant once stood

Ancient church discovered at site where Ark of the Covenant once stood



Three-room church dating back to fourth century C.E., discovered in Tel Shilo in Samaria, is one of the earliest churches to be excavated in the region • Church discovered accidentally after rainfall prompts archaeologists to dig drainage ditch.

Efrat Forsher

One of the three mosaics accidentally discovered at the Tel Shilo archaeological site

One of the earliest churches ever to be excavated in Israel was recently discovered in the archeological site of Tel Shilo, in Samaria.

The church, dating from the fourth century C.E., was discovered on a site believed to have once housed the Israelites' Ark of the Covenant. The discovery has sparked a lot of excitement.

The many visitors who came to see the excavations at the Tel Shilo site over Passover last month were first told of the discovery, which was accidental.

The church was uncovered when rainwater, which was abundant this winter, seeped into the ancient basilica at the archaeological site. In efforts to prevent the water from causing damage to the basilica, it was decided to dig a drainage ditch.

The workers who dug the ditch accidentally discovered three mosaics that had been incredibly preserved, which led to the discovery of the ancient three-room church.



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