local
Rose French writes about religious and spiritual matters for the Star Tribune. Before arriving in the Twin Cities this fall, she covered religion for the Associated Press in Tennessee, where she wrote about the Southern Baptists, United Methodists, Gideons and other religious groups and issues.
E-mail Rose with your thoughts or questions.
Posts about Lions
1,500-year-old church found in Israel
Posted by: Rose French Updated: February 2, 2011 - 3:35 PM
This appears to be quite a remarkable find.
Archeologists uncovered in Israel a 1,500-year-old church on Wednesday, including an unusually well-preserved mosaic floor with images of lions, foxes, fish and peacocks, The Associated Press reports.
“The Byzantine church located southwest of Jerusalem, excavated over the last two months, will be visible only for another week before archaeologists cover it again with soil for its own protection.
“The small basilica with an exquisitely decorated floor was active between the fifth and seventh centuries A.D., said the dig’s leader, Amir Ganor of the Israel Antiquities Authority. He said the floor was “one of the most beautiful mosaics to be uncovered in Israel in recent years.”
“It is unique in its craftsmanship and level of preservation,” he said.
"Archaeologists began digging at the site, known as Hirbet Madras, in December. The Antiquities Authority discovered several months earlier that antiquities thieves had begun plundering the ruins, which sit on an uninhabited hill not far from an Israeli farming community.
ADVERTISEMENT
recent posts
- Minnesota Council of Churches director recruits faith leaders to join national prayer effort
- Exhibit at State Capitol to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day
- Planeterium program explores holiday customs
- Concert series celebrates 25th anniversary of notable St. Thomas pipe organ
- Report: Keith Ellison among world's most influential Muslims
- University of St. Thomas to hold annual tree lighting ceremony
- Nativity story to be performed by In The Heart of the Beast at Basilica of St. Mary
- Report: Priest denies confirmation to Minn. teen over pro-gay posting
- Report: Vatican keeps focus on gay marriage fight despite setbacks
- Twin Cities religious leaders hold service to celebrate marriage amendment defeat
- Report: Obama wins Catholic vote, loses ground among white evangelicals
- Minn. Catholic bishops lament defeat of marriage amendment
- Evangelist Billy Graham endorses Minnesota marriage amendment
- Feds launch formal investigation into St. Anthony mosque rejection
- Muslims celebrate Eid-al-Adha holiday
- St. Thomas forum explores "dangers" of anti-Sharia legislation
- Survey: Growing number of Latinos favor same-sex marriage
- Author Robert Fisch to share Holocaust experience through artwork at St. Paul cathedral event
- Israeli human rights advocate to address Minneapolis Jewish Federation
Post By Category
| Vikings (1) | AFC (1) |
| Lions (1) | Packers (1) |
| Super Bowl (3) | Religion (3) |
- Water main break cuts off service to much of downtown Minneapolis
- Kansas sperm donor lawsuit could easily happen in Minnesota ...
- May 26, 1911: Water main bursts, floods North Side
- Jump in motorcycle deaths pushes up fatality count in state
- Crash in Bloomington halts light rail
- Chicago man arrested in south Minneapolis murder
- 'Without a medical school that is moving ahead, none of us will make it.'
- Minnesota Council of Churches director recruits faith leaders to join national prayer effort
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters