World’s Oldest Nursing Home Uncovered by Israeli Archaeologists

Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered what may be the world’s oldest known nursing home, following the discovery of a rare Greek mosaic inscription in the ruins of the ancient city of Hippos (Sussita), perched above the Sea of Galilee.

The mosaic, dating to the late fourth or early fifth century CE, was found at the entrance to a public building during excavations led by the University of Haifa. Its inscription reads: “Peace be with the elders.” Researchers believe this phrase indicates the site served as an early Byzantine institution dedicated to elder care.

“This is living proof that care and concern for the elderly are not just modern ideas, but were already part of social institutions 1,600 years ago,” said Dr. Michael Eisenberg of the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, who co-directed the excavation.

Published in Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik, the study highlights the first physical remains directly linked to a facility for the elderly, though written sources from the fifth and sixth centuries describe similar charitable institutions. The discovery offers tangible evidence that Byzantine communities invested in caring for seniors, not only in building churches and monasteries.

Hippos, a central Christian city of the Galilee during the Byzantine era, was home to at least seven churches and served as a bishop’s seat. The newly uncovered mosaic lay near the city’s central plaza, inside a residential block close to the main street intersection. Researchers noted its prominent placement suggests the inscription greeted residents or visitors entering the facility.

The mosaic’s artwork, including Egyptian geese, cypress trees, fruits, and vessels, along with the unique dedication to elders, reinforced the conclusion that this was a communal institution centered on elder care. “The inscription addresses a specific public directly, offering a rare glimpse into the daily lives of older people in antiquity,” said Eisenberg.

Conservation work, carried out during the 2023–2024 excavation seasons, preserved the colorful mosaic for study and public display. The team stressed that explicit references to elderly people are virtually unknown in ancient inscriptions, making this find all the more extraordinary.

The discovery sheds light on how early Christian society in the Holy Land began assuming roles that once fell solely to families including caring for its most vulnerable. As Eisenberg put it: “It shows that Byzantine society established not only religious centers but also places dedicated to dignity and care for its seniors.”

Further excavations may reveal more about the building’s design and how it functioned as one of history’s earliest documented elder care facilities.

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