Archaeologists in Israel have unearthed what may be the world’s oldest known nursing home in the remains of an early Christian city near the Sea of Galilee.

New York Post reported that the 1,600-year-old facility, found in the ruins of Hippos and announced by the University of Haifa, provides rare physical evidence of how early Christian societies cared for the elderly during the Byzantine period.

The discovery was made by a team from the Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa, who reported their findings on August 18. The news was first shared by Israel’s TPS-IL news agency following the completion of a significant excavation season.

The archaeological site lies in Hippos, a city that once served as a key bishop's seat and religious center during the Byzantine era. Located close to the Sea of Galilee, Hippos was an important Christian urban hub between the fourth and fifth centuries A.D.

Inside one of the city’s residential quarters—about 320 feet away from the central plaza—researchers discovered a mosaic floor with an inscription in Koine Greek. The inscription reads, “Peace be with the elders,” giving early clues to the building’s purpose.

Message in Mosaic Offers Vital Clue

The mosaic was adorned with several symbolic elements, including Egyptian geese, cypress trees, and fruit. Each motif held spiritual meaning: cypress trees were often linked with immortality, while fruit and geese were traditionally associated with abundance and the souls of the blessed.

According to the researchers, these symbols reinforced the building’s function as a haven for older residents. The design choices appear to have been intentional, aiming to inform both visitors and inhabitants of the facility’s purpose.

Michael Eisenberg, Ph.D., one of the lead archaeologists on the team, explained the significance of the discovery. “It shows that Byzantine society established not only religious centers but also places dedicated to dignity and care for its seniors,” he said.

A Historic Shift Toward Communal Elder Care

While some written texts from the fifth and sixth centuries do mention early Christian institutions that cared for the elderly, physical confirmation has been extremely rare. This particular discovery lends tangible credibility to those historical records.

“This is living proof that care and concern for the elderly are not just a modern idea,” Eisenberg added. He emphasized that societies in antiquity had already begun to institutionalize elder care, transitioning responsibility from family structures to community settings.

The research team described the building as a dual-purpose space, combining physical assistance with spiritual support. “This was a communal and spiritual institution integrated into the fabric of city life and reflecting the social values of the period,” they told TPS-IL.

Scholarly Attention and Global Interest Grow

The results of the excavation have been published in the academic Journal of Papyrology and Epigraphy. The publication provides a detailed analysis of the mosaic’s artwork, construction patterns, and the broader implications for understanding early Christian society.

Experts believe this may be one of the earliest material representations of elder care facilities in the Holy Land. It demonstrates the proactive role Christian communities took in developing organized systems of support beyond the traditional family unit.

“The mosaic offers a tangible, dated, and clear indication of an institution designed for the elderly,” Eisenberg said. He added that the inscription bridges material culture and historical context powerfully.

Byzantine-Era Discovery Offers Modern Lessons

While the find is entrenched in antiquity, scholars say it carries relevance even today. The structure highlights the roots of values still seen in present-day elder care systems.

“It may provide one of the earliest material testimonies in the Holy Land, showing how the Christian community began assuming care responsibilities that had previously been handled by family networks alone,” the research team concluded.

The discovery at Hippos not only enriches historical understanding of the Byzantine period but may also reshape how we think about the origins of social institutions dedicated to caring for senior citizens.