Four years ago the world’s oldest Christian place of worship was discovered during the course of routine renovations in Megiddo prison. Some of the prisoners were allowed to participate in an extensive archaeological dig, and now plans are being put together to relocate the prison all together so as to allow the church to be opened to tourists.
Megiddo prison is normally surrounded by tough looking prison guards on horseback and with guard dogs which ensure that even tougher looking prisoners stay put. Normally Megiddo prison is a place that ordinary folk stay well away from but if these plans come to fruition then the prison could become a tourist attraction that could draw people from all over the world.
During the dig a stunningly beautiful mosaic floor inscribed with references to Christ was found, along with a building foundation dated from the 3rd or 4th century C.E. Scholars believe that a Roman army was encamped there at this time and this was the base of communal Christian activity. Remains of an altar were also found at the site.
The head of the regional council, Hanan Erez, said that: “the discovery of the finds created great excitement in the Christian world and among researchers of early Christianity. The discovery was even a main topic of a conference of researchers in Washington three years ago.”
Plans to build a tourist site are awaiting local government approval, Haaretz.com says.
(For the full article please read www.haaretz.com, image is of the mosaic floor found in Meggido prison).