Church dating from 1,500 years ago discovered

June 10, 2015. Church dating from 1,500 years ago discovered near Highway 1. Discovery made during archaeological excavations prior to National Roads Company Highway 1 upgrade. According to archaeologists, the church was part of an ancient road station frequented by travelers between Jerusalem and the coastal plain. Archaeological excavations near Highway 1 (Jerusalem–Tel Aviv), at the entrance to Abu Gosh, have uncovered a large Byzantine-period road station that included a church. Initiated and funded by the National Roads Company, the excavations were conducted while upgrading and widening the highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The site lies next to a seep spring known as ‘Ain Naqa‘a, located on the outskirts of Moshav Bet Neqofa. The current excavation season uncovered a church measuring about 16 m in length. The church includes a side chapel 6.5 m long and 3.5 m wide and a white mosaic floor.