The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced on Sunday that a 1,500-year-old public building, dating to the Byzantine Period was revealed in excavations carried out by the authority about 100 meters west of Tel Akko – next to the Azrieli Shopping Mall compound under construction there. A salvage excavation was carried out there as a result of work that had not been coordinated with the IAA and which caused damage to ancient remains located in a declared antiquities site, according to the announcement.
Excavation Director Nurit Feig said, “It may possibly be a church. This is the first time that remains of a public building from this period have been uncovered in Akko.” She added, ""Until now, the city was known from Christian sources which mention its bishop who took part in formulating the new religion. Now, the first tangible evidence is emerging in the field.This is an important discovery for the study of Akko because until now no remains dating to the Byzantine period have been found, save those of a residential quarter situated near the sea."