A large third century building believed to be a mansion from the Roman period was discovered during excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) at the City of David in the Walls Around Jerusalem National Park. “We can cautiously estimate that the building covered an area of approximately 1,000 square meters. In the center of it was a large open courtyard surrounded by columns,” said Dr. Doron Ben-Ami, excavation director on behalf of the IAA.

From fresco fragments discovered in the collapsed ruins, excavators deduced that some of the edifice’s walls were treated with plaster and decorated with colorful paintings. According to an IAA statement, the structure’s architectural richness, plan and the artifacts discovered among its ruins bear witness to the unequivocal Roman character of the building. A marble figurine in the image of a boxer and a gold earring inlaid with precious stones were considered the most outstanding finds of the site.