Archaeologists from the University of Haifa have unearthed a 1,600-year-old mosaic with a Greek inscription reading, “Peace on the elders,” that may be the earliest evidence of a dedicated institution for the elderly.
The discovery was made at the Sussita (Hippos) National Park near the Sea of Galilee, the primary Christian city in the region during the Byzantine period. The mosaic, dating to the late fourth or early fifth century CE, was discovered at the entrance to a public building.
According to Dr. Michael Eisenberg, co-director of the excavation project, the finding provides “living proof that care and concern for the elderly... were part of social institutions and concepts already 1,600 years ago.” The research was published in the academic journal Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik.
Rare finds
The mosaic was found within a decorated medallion, positioned near the intersection of the city’s main streets, the Decumanus Maximus and the Cardo. Researchers, including Eisenberg and Dr. Arleta Kowalewska from the University of Haifa and Prof. Gregor Staab from the University of Cologne, analyzed the inscription’s linguistic and stylistic features, comparing it to historical records from the Byzantine era that mention institutions for older adults.
The mosaic’s location, situated at the entrance to a public building, suggests the inscription was highly visible to those entering. The surrounding imagery, which includes Egyptian water lilies, cypress trees, fruits, and vessels, further supports the idea that the structure had a special, spiritual purpose.
The discovery is significant because while historical texts from the fifth and sixth centuries mention such institutions, this is the first time a clear, physical artifact has been found that can be directly linked to them. The direct addressing of a specific age group – Peace on the elders” – indicates that the city had an organized social system to provide care and respect for its older citizens.
The researchers concluded that the institution was a community and spiritual center that reflected the social values of the Christian city. The findings highlight that the responsibility for caring for the elderly had shifted from being solely a family matter to a communal one. The mosaic provides a unique insight into the social and religious fabric of Byzantine society, showing that these ancient cities built not only religious buildings but also institutions for daily social functions.