The country's antiquities administration announced Tuesday that archaeologists have discovered an opulent 1,200-year-old estate in Israel's desert south that provides a rare window into life for affluent residents of the Negev region.
The opulent house has four wings with multiple rooms for its tenants, and it is constructed around a courtyard. A marble hallway with stone floors and ornate wall decorations can be found in one portion. Additionally, dish-shaped glass shards with decorations were uncovered by archaeologists.
Archaeologists were shocked to find stone subterranean vaults beneath the courtyard; they think these vaults were utilized to store goods at a lower temperature away from the intense desert sun.
The vaults appear to be properly built and strong enough to permit underground movement between them. A cistern with cool drinking water is accessible to occupants via an aperture from the vaulted rooms.
According to experts, the owners of the property most certainly led prosperous lives and had enough to share.
The dig directors issued a statement that read, "The opulent home and the exceptional magnificent underground vaults are evidence of the owners' means." Their great rank and riches enabled them to erect a lavish mansion that was used for both living in and entertaining in.