World's oldest nursing home discovered in ancient Christian village

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery, uncovering what they believe could be the earliest known example of an elderly care home beneath an ancient Christian village in present-day Israel.

The pioneering nursing facility was discovered within the remains of the historic city of Hippos, situated just 2km east of the Sea of Galilee.

This Hellenistic settlement in the northern Jordan valley served as a crucial bishop's residence throughout the early Christian Byzantine period.

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Researchers initially believed they had made a remarkable find when the University of Haifa's Zinman team discovered an inscription embedded within an elaborate mosaic floor pattern at the entrance to an ancient structure, according to Israel's TPS-IL news agency.

Scientists suspect this building was specifically constructed for caring for the community's elderly residents because the mosaic displayed the message, "Peace be with the elders," written in Koine Greek, reports the Express.

The decorative artwork was uncovered 20 feet away from Hippos' main square, within one of the settlement's housing districts, with origins tracing back to the fourth or fifth century A.D..

Dr Michael Eisenberg stated in a release the mosaic "offers a tangible, dated, and clear indication of an institution designed for the elderly."

He said: "This is living proof that care and concern for the elderly are not just a modern concept, but were part of social institutions and concepts as far back as about 1,600 years ago. It shows that Byzantine society established not only religious centres but also places dedicated to dignity and care for its seniors."

Historical records from the fifth and sixth centuries indicate that organisations dedicated to nurturing elderly people existed, suggesting that this could well have been a sort of nursing home. The mosaic would have been positioned at the entrance of the building to clearly communicate its purpose to visitors and users.

Even the choice of imagery on the mosaic seems to support the researchers' theory. The mosaic features cypress trees, which were associated with everlasting life, and fruits, which also symbolised eternal life.

Egyptian geese also feature, symbolising blessed souls. The research team, who published their findings in the Journal of Papyrology and Epigraphy, said the discovery provides us "a rare glimpse into the daily lives of older people in antiquity."

They added: "This was a communal and spiritual institution integrated into the fabric of city life and reflecting the social values of the period.

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