Jerusalem - Israeli archaeologists working in the northern city of Tiberias have uncovered the remains of an ancient Byzantine church paved with mosaics decorated with geometric patterns and dedicatory inscriptions, the Antiquities Authority confirmed Thursday.

One of the inscriptions contains the text, "Our Lord (Jesus) protect the soul of your servant..." which the Authority said the appears to refute the claim that Jews of Tiberias prevented early Christians from establishing a church in their city.

Another mosaic was adorned with a large cross, leading Doctor Moshe Hartal, one of the directors of the excavations, to conclude that the structure was built before 427 AD, the year the Church issued a decree prohibiting the placement of crosses in mosaic floors, in order to prevent them from being stepped on.

The church's remains were discovered adjacent to ancient public buildings among them a basilica, bathhouse, streets and shops that were exposed at the site in the past.

The remains of a Jewish neighbourhood dating to the tenth-eleventh centuries AD were also discovered in the excavations, as were buildings replete with a wealth of ceramic vessels that dating to the Early Islamic period (eighth-eleventh centuries AD.)

In addition a settlement was discovered that from the Early Bronze Age (from 5 000 years ago), which the Authority said proves that the Tiberias region was inhabited in periods earlier than those mentioned in the historical sources.

The excavations were carried out during the past three months. - Sapa-dpa