The Israel Antiquities Authority has announced what it says is a major archaeological find. A Byzantine church with a large and beautiful mosaic floor was discovered at Hirbet Madras in the Judean coastal plain. Various scholars who visited the site believe it could mark the residence and tomb of the prophet Zechariah.
In recent months an archaeological excavation was conducted at Hirbet Madras in the wake of an antiquities theft during which robbers attempted to breach and plunder an ancient underground complex.
Hirbet Madras is known as the site of a large, important Jewish community from the Second Temple period until its destruction during the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 135 CE.