Archaeologists have discovered what is believed to be an ancient church in Acre, Israel, proving that the city played a role in early Christianity.
“This is an important discovery for the study of Acre,” stated Nurit Page, head of the excavation undertaken by the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Page added this discovery is considered important because “no remnants from the Byzantine Period had been found other than living quarters near the [Mediterranean] Sea.”
The archaeological team believes the ancient structure is about 1,500 years old and is a church because of its size, which indicates that it is a public building, and the style of the building, including the roofing tiles, reports Israel’s Haaretz Daily Newspaper.
(Image shows Akko Tower in the old city of Acre, from ancientdigger.com).