A magnificent mosaic floor from an ancient church excavated in the Megiddo prison that has captivated the Christian world will go on an extraordinary journey beyond the borders of Israel. This stunning find will be on display for three months at the Museum of the Bible in Washington before returning home.

This discovery is one of the most beautiful archaeological discoveries in the region. The rare mosaic was uncovered in 2005 during rescue excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority on the prison grounds. This magnificent mosaic floor dates back to the 3rd century and is an important part of one of the oldest known Christian houses of worship in the world.

This mosaic quickly gained the status of one of the rarest attractions in the world because it contains the oldest known inscription in the country, which first mentions Jesus as God in Israel.

Recently, both the Vatican and the Museum of the Bible in Washington have expressed interest in exhibiting the mosaic. The Israel Antiquities Authority has decided to send this masterpiece, accompanied by an experienced restoration team, to the Washington museum for temporary exhibition. According to the plan, the mosaic will return to Israel in three months.

Eli Escusido, director general of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said the preserved mosaic would be transported safely to Washington.

“The mosaic has been carefully conserved and restored in our workshop in Beit Shemesh. In an extremely rare move, it will be exhibited at the Museum of the Bible for three months before returning there. Only when the prison is cleared and a visitor center is established in its place will it be put back in Megiddo. Our team carefully dismantled the mosaic into its individual pieces and ensured its safe transport to the United States, with our experts supervising the process,” he said.

Gil Lin, chairman of the Megiddo Regional Council, said his municipality is looking forward to allowing visitors to view the artifact. “This is a stunning discovery with immense historical and religious significance, made right here in Megiddo – a region rich in evidence of settlement and agricultural, cultural, military and economic activities spanning thousands of years. When the mosaic floor is returned, we plan to establish a museum at the historic site so that everyone can experience its beauty firsthand,” he said.

The remarkable discovery of the mosaic dates back about 19 years. The area around Megiddo is known for its wealth of archaeological treasures from different periods. When the prison service proposed building new wings to replace the temporary quarters, the Antiquities Authority insisted on conducting excavations. Coins and pottery were also found during the 2005 excavations.

Excavations conducted in the western and upper parts of the Megiddo Prison about two decades ago uncovered residential structures and settlement sites dating to the Byzantine period (4th and 6th centuries CE). In addition, layers containing Roman-period artifacts were discovered, particularly in earthen pockets and cavities beneath the floors of Byzantine structures. A Roman-period mikvah (ritual bath) was also uncovered at the site, in addition to another mikvah excavated during archaeological rescue work during the Mandate period. The finds indicate that the mikvah was sealed during the Byzantine period and buildings and floors were constructed over it.