Salvage excavations at Khirbet Hanoot unearthed a Byzantine church and next to it a large wine press installation. Khirbet Hanoot is located ca. 18 km north-east of Beit Guvrin on the road to Jerusalem. The road, known as the Emperor’s road today, was built either during the Bar Kokhba revolt (132-135 CE) or more likely during the visit of Emperor Hadrian to the region in 130 CE. The floor of the church was covered with colorful mosaic, 10x4.25m in size. Eastern edge of the mosaic contained a two-line black and white dedicatory inscription in Greek. Based on the inscription the final completion of the church can de be dated to 563, 568, or 593 CE. The church was most likely abandoned in the 8th century CE.

*Reconstruction is based on academic conjecture since architectural plans remain unpublished as of yet. 

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