Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Digging History

Israel archaeologists unearth 1,200-year-old luxury mansion during excavations

Archaeologists discovered the ancient estate during an excavation in the southern Bedouin town of Rahat

Bradford Betz By Bradford Betz Fox News
Published
close
Fox News Flash top headlines for August 23 Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for August 23

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Israeli archaeologists recently unearthed a luxurious 1,200-year-old mansion in the southern Bedouin town of Rahat. 

The Israel Antiquities Authority said archaeologists discovered the estate while carrying out excavations for the development of a new neighborhood. 

  • Israel Antiquities Authority
    Image 1 of 4

    A general view of a 1,200-year-old rural estate, discovered during excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority during expansion of the town of Rahat, Israel, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

  • Rahat, Israel excavations
    Image 2 of 4

    Workers are seen on a 1,200-year-old rural estate, discovered during excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority during expansion of the town of Rahat, Israel, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022.  (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

  • Israel excavation
    Image 3 of 4

    Workers are seen on a 1,200-year-old rural estate discovered during excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority during expansion of the town of Rahat, Israel, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022.  (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

  • Excavation worksite in Rahat, Israel.
    Image 4 of 4

    Located in Israel's south near the Bedouin town of Rahat, the building dates back to the early Islamic period in the 8th or 9th centuries. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

The estate dates to the early Islamic period in the 8th or 9th century and offers a unique glimpse of life for wealthy residents of the Negev region, the Antiquities Authority said Tuesday.

The luxury home is built around a courtyard and features four wings with several rooms for its residents. One lavish section features a marble hallway with stone floors and elaborate wall decorations. Archaeologists also found shards of decorated glass serving dishes.

NEW POMPEII FURNISHINGS HIGHLIGHT MIDDLE-CLASS HOMES BEFORE MT. VESUVIUS ERUPTION

Underneath the courtyard, archaeologists were surprised to discover subterranean vaults made of stone, which they believe were used to store items at cooler temperatures away from the scorching desert sun. The vaults appear to be carefully constructed and sturdy enough to allow people to move between them underground. An opening from the vaulted rooms also leads to a cistern where residents could access cool drinking water.

Experts say the mansion's owners likely lived a life of prosperity and had plenty to go around.

"The luxurious estate and the unique impressive underground vaults are evidence of the owners' means," the excavation directors said in a statement. "Their high status and wealth allowed them to build a luxurious mansion that served as a residence and for entertaining."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Israel Antiquities Authority and the Authority for Development and Settlement of the Bedouin are planning to conserve and exhibit the finding to the public. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.