Archaeologist Unearths Mysterious Christian Settlement Hidden Away For Centuries

An archaeologist precocious uncovered nan apt remains of a long-forgotten Byzantine settlement, offering caller insights into nan history of Christianity successful nan Middle East.

Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh, an subordinate professor of archaeology astatine Mu’tah University successful Jordan, precocious published his findings successful nan diary Gephyra successful May. 

The archaeologist believes he's uncovered nan ancient tract of Tharais, guided by nan enigmatic Madaba Map – a singular mosaic that has puzzled historians for centuries.

ANCIENT ROMAN MILITARY FORTIFICATIONS FOUND IN 'STRATEGIC LOCATION' IN EGYPT

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Al-Rawahneh said he located nan tract adjacent nan Jordanian colony of El-ʿIrāq, successful an area known arsenic Ain Al-Qala’a.

Though nan tract was mislaid to obscurity, nan historiographer said nan once-thriving colony was located "strategically" on trade routes to nan southeastern Dead Sea region.

The mislaid Byzantine metropolis of Tharais successful confederate Jordan is believed to person been rediscovered by archaeologists successful Jordan. (Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh)

At nan site, Al-Rawahneh and his squad uncovered artifacts ranging from pottery shards and chromatic devices to solid remnants. He besides uncovered fossils during his excavation.

The area was filled pinch architectural remains, including a Byzantine church. When asked what was nan astir absorbing uncovering astatine nan site, Al-Rawahneh pointed to respective discoveries, including nan Christian religion and an oliva lipid press.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS MAKE GRIM DISCOVERY AFTER FINDING ANCIENT ROMAN BUILDINGS

The church, which nan historiographer called "basilica-style," retained fragments of mosaic floors emblematic of Byzantine Christian sites.

"[It] reflects Byzantine design, including a salient entranceway and imaginable remnants of ornamental elements," he said.

Archaeologists discovered portion of nan main entranceway framework of nan church, seen astatine left, arsenic good arsenic a remnant of nan beforehand destruction of nan church, shown astatine right. (Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh)

Archaeologists besides recovered various inscriptions, which Al-Rawahneh said were linked to ancient funerary practices.

While nan inscriptions require further research, nan professor said they "may see Christian imagery and references," which will supply much penetration into ancient belief practices.

Archaeologists besides recovered various inscriptions. 

So what led to Tharais becoming "lost"? Al-Rawahneh said nan tract was abandoned by nan 7th period A.D., based connected what archaeologists person learned astir activity successful nan area.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

The master pointed to changes successful waste and acquisition routes, earthquakes and biology changes arsenic imaginable reasons. 

Al-Rawahneh besides noted that nan area transitioned from Byzantine to Islamic power successful nan seventh century.

Al-Rawahneh said nan find of an oliva lipid press, seen above, was 1 of nan astir absorbing findings during nan excavation. (Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh)

More investigation is successful nan works, including surveys of surrounding areas and further study of nan artifacts that were found, he said.

In nan future, Al-Rawahneh said he hopes that upcoming investigation will "enhance nan knowing of Tharais and its value wrong nan broader discourse of Byzantine archaeology successful Jordan."

For much Lifestyle articles, sojourn foxnews.com/lifestyle

The Byzantine Empire, besides known arsenic nan Eastern Roman Empire, lasted from 330 A.D. to nan 15th century.

The empire began to return style successful 330 A.D., erstwhile Constantine nan Great moved nan Roman superior to Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople.

The tract was apt abandoned by nan 7th period owed to a assortment of factors. (Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh)

Many fascinating finds from nan Byzantine era still move up successful Asia Minor and nan Middle East today.

In May, Israeli officials put a 1,600-year-old Byzantine-era mosaic from a Christian monastery connected nationalist show for nan first time.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In Syria, a contractor precocious stumbled crossed a Byzantine tomb complex while clearing rubble.