On August 23, Israeli archaeologists announced the discovery of a 1,200-year-old villa. This finding expands knowledge about the southern desert region, where a mosque was recently excavated.
Described by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) as “a luxurious estate in the countryside”, this villa features marble-floored corridors and walls adorned with frescoes, according to AFP.
This is the first building of its kind found in the southern Negev Desert. According to the IAA, it has vaulted rooms surrounding a central courtyard.
Remnants of oil lamps were excavated from the underground storage rooms, along with a water reservoir.
“The luxurious estate and impressive, unique underground chambers are evidence of the owner’s wealth,” stated the archaeologists leading the excavation.
“High status and wealth allowed them to build a luxurious villa that served both as a residence and a place for entertainment,” added archaeologists Oren Shmueli, Elena Kogan-Zehavi, and Noe D. Michael.
1,200-year-old desert villa in Israel. (Photo: IAA).
“We believe that those who lived here were figures from the local ruling class,” Michael told AFP, adding that buildings like this “were completely unknown in the Negev until now.”
The site in the Bedouin city of Rahat will be open to the public starting August 25.
The building is located near a rare mosque from the same period, which Israeli archaeologists announced in June.
The IAA speculates that at some point, several dozen Muslims may have worshipped in this area.
It is believed that Muslims invaded this region in the first half of the 7th century.
After the excavation of the villa is completed, it is planned to preserve this site along with other discoveries such as the mosque, Michael added.
