Archaeologists in Israel have discovered a nearly 1,600-year-old structure that may have been the first organized institution for the care of the elderly.
The discovery was made near the Sea of Galilee, in the Hippos National Park.
A key find is a mosaic with a Greek inscription that reveals the special purpose of the building.
What does the find reveal?
The centerpiece is an ornate mosaic floor with a Greek inscription that reads “Peace to the Elderly.”
Researchers believe it dates back to the 4th or early 5th century AD.
The inscription is prominently located in a residential area of the ancient city of Hippos. This, according to scientists, testifies to the building’s public function related to the care of the elderly, Arkeonews reports.
The inscription is the first material evidence of the existence of an organized facility designed to care for the elderly, experts say.
Although historical texts from the 5th and 6th centuries mention such institutions, no archaeological evidence has been found to date.
This makes the discovery at Hippos a breakthrough in the study of ancient social institutions.
Dr. Michael Eisenberg of the Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa, who led the excavation, stressed the great significance of the find.
He explained that it shows how caring for the elderly was integrated into society long before the emergence of modern social welfare systems.
The researcher noted that this discovery proves that caring for older members of society was an established social value as early as 1,600 years ago.
The wording of the inscription and its location clearly indicate the existence of an official home for the elderly.
The inscription directly addresses the elderly as a group, which is a rare and direct reference in an archaeological context.
Hippos, also known as Susita, was an important Byzantine Christian city overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
It served as an episcopal center and featured impressive public architecture, including churches, a basilica, a temple, a theater, and wide, colonnaded streets.
The newly discovered facility for the elderly was located at the crossroads of two major roads. This underscores its integration into everyday urban life.
Excavations in 2023 and 2024 allowed researchers to fully uncover and analyze the mosaic and its iconography.
The team concluded that this mosaic medallion was likely placed at the entrance to the building, serving as both a spiritual blessing and a welcome.
The institution reflects early Christian values that encouraged social responsibility and care outside of traditional family structures.
Illustrative Photo by Marta Nogueira: https://www.pexels.com/photo/detail-of-rocky-shore-of-sea-of-galilee-in-israel-water-and-blue-sky-landscape-with-hills-in-the-background-20172580/
