An ancient settlement thought to be lost to history may have finally been found—along with it, a glimpse into early Christianity in the Middle East that’s been buried for centuries.
Archaeologist Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh believes he has uncovered the remains of Tharais, a forgotten Byzantine site that once sat along a key trade route near the southeastern edge of the Dead Sea. The discovery was made near the Jordanian village of El-ʿIrāq, in an area called Ain Al-Qala’a.
The findings, published in May in the archaeology journal Gephyra, have caught the attention of historians, archaeologists, and even the curious public. But what makes this site different from countless others scattered across the region is how it was found—and what it might still be hiding.
Al-Rawahneh used the Madaba Map—a 6th-century mosaic considered one of the oldest geographic depictions of the Holy Land—as a guide. The map has been puzzling researchers for generations, and now, it may have helped lead to a settlement that had vanished from written records and oral tradition alike.
Among the stone ruins and soil layers, the excavation revealed traces of everyday life: pottery shards, tools, fragments of glass, and even fossils. But two discoveries stood out—what Al-Rawahneh described as a basilica-style Christian church, and a large olive oil press, both likely dating back to the Byzantine period.
The church, though worn down by time, still held bits of its mosaic flooring and key architectural details. Al-Rawahneh noted that the building design was in line with other Byzantine Christian sites, and some of the stonework suggested it once featured decorative elements.
Researchers also uncovered ancient inscriptions, some of which might reference Christian funerary practices. These inscriptions haven’t been fully translated yet, but Al-Rawahneh believes they could help unlock deeper knowledge about spiritual life during that period.
The site may have thrived during the height of the Byzantine Empire, only to vanish by the 7th century A.D. Why it was abandoned remains uncertain. According to Al-Rawahneh, shifting trade routes, natural disasters like earthquakes, or environmental changes may have made the location less sustainable.
Another possible factor? The area transitioned from Byzantine to Islamic control during the same period. That shift could have led to population movement or the reorganization of regional centers, further contributing to the site’s disappearance.
The archaeological team is not done yet. Al-Rawahneh said surveys of the surrounding landscape are planned, and more detailed analysis of the items found is already underway. The goal, he explained, is to deepen understanding of Tharais’ role in the region—and possibly identify other settlements tied to the same network.
The Byzantine Empire, which began in 330 A.D. with the founding of Constantinople, left its mark across Asia Minor and the Middle East. From religious mosaics to monastic ruins, its legacy still emerges unexpectedly in modern times.
Just last month, Israeli officials unveiled a 1,600-year-old Byzantine-era mosaic from a Christian monastery. In Syria, a contractor clearing rubble accidentally uncovered a tomb complex from the same period.
Couple months back I was in Ephesus visiting some ancient church ruins. Took this video to send home to my son back in Canada. pic.twitter.com/UMyvcaG0P8
— WesleyHuff (@WesleyLHuff) July 7, 2025
Now, with Tharais potentially back on the map, one question looms:
What else has been quietly buried beneath centuries of sand and stone, waiting to change the story we think we know?
