The team believes that the structure was in use until the 8th century BCE, the middle of the period when the Kings of Judah ruled.
The 12.15-meter-long and approximately 1.75-m -wide column is thought to have been quarried in order to decorate the Second Temple.
"The mosaic discovered in Kiryat Gat is one of the most unique ever found in Israel," said Mark Avrahami, Head of Artistic Conservation at the Israel Antiquities Authority.
New Tel Aviv University research suggests prehistoric humans in Israel didn't create cave paintings because large animals had already gone extinct there, unlike in Europe.
Ancient Negev viticulture offers modern winemakers valuable tools to enhance resilience amid climate challenges.
Dr. Shay Bar, Dr. Yoav Farhi and Dr. Mechael Osband, who led the excavation, discovered the 80/79 BCE-style coins on Friday - the third night of Hanukkah.
Egyptian authorities said that over 450 artifacts had nearly been stolen, including statue busts and ancient coins.
JPOST Digital Library
