Archaeologists found a 1,500-year-old church in Israel. The church is located in the Judean hills, southwest of Jerusalem.

The Byzantine church has a beautiful mosaic floor with images of lions, foxes, fish and peacocks.

¡±The small church was active between the fifth and seventh centuries A.D.,¡± said Amir Ganor, who works for the Israel Antiquities Authority. ¡°The floor is one of the most beautiful mosaics uncovered in Israel in recent years,¡± he added. ¡°It is unique in its craftsmanship and level of preservation.¡±
At the beginning of excavation, the archaeologists believed that the building was a synagogue. However, the building turned out to be a church because stones carved with crosses were found.

The church was built on another building that was 500 years older. The archaeologists believe Jews lived there.

Underneath the building, there is a network of tunnels. The archaeologists believe that Jews used the tunnels to fight Roman armies in the second century A.D.

Stone steps from the church floor lead down to a small burial cave. The archaeologists believe that it might be the burial place of the Old Testament prophet Zecharia.