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The inscription cites 6th-century Roman emperor
Justinian as well as Constantine, who served as abbot of a
church founded by Justinian in Jerusalem. Archaeologists believe
it will help them to understand Justinian's building projects in
the city.
The full inscription reads: "The most pious Roman emperor
Flavius Justinian and the most 6God-loving priest and abbot,
Constantine, erected the building in which (this mosaic) sat
during the 14th indiction."
Indiction is an ancient method of counting years that was used
for taxation purposes. Archaeologists said the inscription
suggests the mosaic dated to the year 550/551 AD.
Justinian was one of the most important rulers of the Byzantine
era. In 543 AD he established the Nea Church in Jerusalem - one
of the biggest Christian churches in the eastern Roman Empire
and the largest in Jerusalem at the time.
"The fact that the inscription survived is an archaeological
miracle," David Gellman, director of the excavation on behalf of
the Israel Antiquities Authority, said in a statement.
"Every archaeologist dreams of finding an inscription in their
excavations, especially one so well preserved and almost
entirely intact."
Researchers believe that the building of which the mosaic was
once part, located beside the Old City's Damascus Gate, was used
as a hostel for pilgrims.
The mosaic, which was unveiled to the media on Wednesday, was
discovered earlier this summer. Conservation experts have
removed the mosaic and are treating it in a specialist workshop.
(Writing by Mark Hanrahan in London; editing by Mark Heinrich)
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