An Israeli Archeologist Shows Maltese Cross Found In An 1,5000 Year Old Monastery

Naftali Aizik, an archeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority, shows Maltese cross discovered in an 1,5000 year old Byzantine Period monastery and church uncovered during large scale excavations in Beit Shemesh, Israel, December 20, 2017. The Byzantine structure was discovered during excavations prior to the expansion of Ramat Beit Shemesh for housing. The marble base is engraved with a Maltese cross. Artifacts were found and a number of architectural elements including a marble pillar base decorated with crosses and marble window screens. The artifacts found may indicate that the site was important to ancient pilgrims in the Judean Shephelah region. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI