Archaeologists in Israel say they have discovered a rare mosque in the south of the country and one of the oldest known. Antiquities experts say the find dates back to the transition period from Christianity to Islam.
According to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the remains of the mosque that point to a 1,200-year history were found during the construction of a new Bedouin neighborhood in the city of Rahat.
“The unique architectural features reveal that the building may have been used as a mosque” estimated that he may have received a few dozen believers at the time.
The same source indicates that the religious site located in the Negev desert has a square room facing Mecca, the holy city of Islam. A “luxury building” was also found with remains of cutlery and glass artifacts that reveal the wealth of the people who lived there, according to The Guardian, based on statements from antiquities superiors.
The historical process that took place in the Negev desert shows the history of the introduction of a new religion, the Islamic religion, and a new government and culture of the region. These were established gradually inheriting the previous Byzantine government and the Christian religion that dominated the land for hundreds of years”, stresses the independent government entity.
In Rahat, the mosques found are preserved as historical monuments or active places of prayer.
Source: Observadora
