Photos: Ancient Farmhouse and Church Uncovered in Israel

As the city of Rosh Ha-'Ayin in central Israel expands, excavation in preparation for new construction revealed ancient buildings in the surrounding area. Structures with colorful mosaic floors and dozens of rooms hint at how people may have lived and worked in centuries gone by. [Read the full story on the farmstead discovery]

Byzantine church

Birds-eye view of the preserved remains of a church estimated to be 1,500 years old. Christianity spread rapidly across the region during the 5th century CE, evident in the number of ancient monasteries and churches that survive today. (Image credit: Griffin Aerial Photography)

A Greek inscription

In the remains of the church, excavators found several mosaics. One bore a Greek inscription welcoming visitors in the name of "Theodosius the priest." (Image credit: Assaf Peretz, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority)

The farmstead

An aerial view of the 27,000-year-old farmhouse, which included 24 rooms surrounding a courtyard and a silo. (Image credit: Griffin Aerial Photography)

Pieces of silver

A silver coin stamped with the image of Athena, found in the farmhouse remains. (Image credit: Israel Antiquities Authority)

Sacred bird

A silver coin stamped with the image of an Athenian owl, found in the farmhouse remains. (Image credit: Israel Antiquities Authority)

Excavators at work

Students of the Gal Academy for Leadership. Dozens of teenagers from schools and youth programs contributed to the archaeological excavation, part of the Israel Antiquities Authority's initiative to increase public awareness of Israel's cultural heritage. (Image credit: Israel Antiquities Authority)

Ancient tile patterns

Colorful mosaics in the church floors include geometric designs. (Image credit: Assaf Peretz, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority)

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Mindy Weisberger is a science journalist and author of "Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control" (Hopkins Press). She formerly edited for Scholastic and was a channel editor and senior writer for Live Science. She has reported on general science, covering climate change, paleontology, biology and space. Mindy studied film at Columbia University; prior to LS, she produced, wrote and directed media for the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. Her videos about dinosaurs, astrophysics, biodiversity and evolution appear in museums and science centers worldwide, earning awards such as the CINE Golden Eagle and the Communicator Award of Excellence. Her writing has also appeared in Scientific American, The Washington Post, How It Works Magazine and CNN.