Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered what appears to be the world’s oldest known nursing home, an ancient Christian care facility for the elderly dating back 1,600 years. The discovery, made near the Sea of Galilee in the ruins of the ancient city of Hippos, highlights a significant archaeological find that sheds light on the care of the elderly in antiquity.
The building, dating to the fourth or fifth century A.D., was identified as a care facility for the elderly, based on its location and the mosaic inscription that reads ‘Peace be with the elders’ in Koine Greek. The site is part of the ruins of Hippos, a historically significant Christian city that served as a major bishop’s seat during the Byzantine era.
The archaeologists, from the University of Haifa’s Zinman Institute of Archaeology, were struck by the symbolic mosaic elements, which included cypress trees, fruit, and Egyptian geese. These symbols, along with the Greek inscription, indicate that the building was intentionally marked as a place of care and respect for older residents. Researchers believe this is one of the earliest physical records of such an institution, offering a rare glimpse into the daily lives of the elderly in the ancient world.
In a statement, Michael Eisenberg, Ph.D., noted that the mosaic provides a ‘tangible, dated, and clear indication of an institution designed for the elderly.’ He emphasized that such care for the elderly was not a modern idea but a part of social institutions as far back as 1,600 years ago. The findings, published in the Journal of Papyrology and Epigraphy, suggest that the Christian community in the region was taking on responsibilities for elderly care that had traditionally been handled by family networks alone.