Because the Sixth Legion of the Roman Empire was moved to Transjordan, which is east of the Jordan River, the prayer hall, or church, was probably abandoned and hidden.
The names of five women were also included in the mosaic, underscoring the significance of women in the church.
In addition to mentioning Akeptous, who donated a table to the prayer hall, the inscription on the mosaic also urges us to “remember Primilla and Cyriaca and Dorothea, and lastly, Chreste.”
“This is arguably one of the most important archaeological discoveries for understanding the early Christian church,” stated Bobby Duke, director of the Museum of the Bible’s Scholars Initiative.
“For instance, the mosaic highlights the important role of women in the early church by mentioning five women by name,” he added.
