Even 1,500 years ago, there was plenty of traffic between the site of modern-day Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. An archaeological dig next to the main Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway, near the entrance to the Israeli Arab city of Abu Ghosh, has revealed the remains of a Byzantine-era "rest stop" and church. The church is 16 meters (52.5 feet) long, and has a side chapel 6.5 meters (21.3 feet) long by 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) wide, with a white mosaic floor. To the west of the chapel the archaeologists discovered rooms that appear to have been used for lodging and storage. Other items discovered at the site include oil lamps, coins, glass objects, and broken marble and shells. Annette Nagar, who is directing the dig for the Israel Antiquities Authority, noted that "the 'rest stop' and the church next to it were built in the Byzantine period to the side of an ancient road that led from Jerusalem to the coast." According to Nagar, remains of communities and other rest stops have already been discovered along the same road. "The 'rest stop' fell out of use at the end of the Byzantine period, although the road it was built next to was refurbished and used after that -- in effect, through today," Nagar said. Antiquities Authority Judea District chief archaeologist Pablo Betzer said that "in coordination with the Israel Roads Authority, [a decision has been taken] to cover and preserve the site for the benefit of future generations." The archaeological dig was carried out during an infrastructure project to repair and widen Highway 1, which links Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
