A decades-old discovery of ruins of biblical significance was re-excavated this past summer, after being reburied once previously, in a joint Israeli military-antiquities conservation undertaking.
Twenty years ago, a pair of Israeli researchers unearthed an ancient ecclesiastical site at Horbat Hani, in the foothills east of the then fledgling upscale settlement of Soham.
Located here were the remains of a Byzantine covenant complex, once a nuns’ quarters, it’s believed, encompassing a colorful mosaic depicting plant and animal scenes along with inscriptions. Several other structures were also found. All were dated to be some 1,500 years old.
Dr. Uzi Dahari and Dr. Yehiel Zelinger of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) were responsible for the initial discovery, which was subsequently covered up to protect it. And it remained protected there—safe and undisturbed—for two decades….