Archaeologists in Italy have made a significant discovery, unearthing the earliest known Christian church in the ancient city of Oderzo. This remarkable find was revealed by the Archaeological Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Metropolitan Area of Venice and the Provinces of Belluno, Padua, and Treviso.
The church’s remains were discovered near the site of a former fish market, known as a pescheria. Pictures released show the intricate polychrome mosaic floors and human burials located alongside the foundation walls. Situated about 40 miles northeast of Venice, the site reveals the ancient city’s connection to the Late Roman period, when it was called Opitergium.
The church, dating back to the fourth and fifth centuries A.D., was uncovered during an excavation initiated in November last year. This excavation took place as part of a residential redevelopment project in Oderzo’s historic center. Archaeologists determined that this 1,600-year-old structure was a substantial rectangular building, measuring approximately 75 feet wide and at least 98 feet long, featuring a central aisle and two side aisles.
The foundations, up to 4 feet thick and crafted from brick bonded with mortar, are supported by wooden piles driven into the alluvial soil, a technique commonly used in antiquity to enhance stability.
Alongside the church, four burials were unearthed containing the remains of seven individuals. These findings suggest the complex may extend beyond the initially excavated area. The eastern end of the church remains unexplored, indicating more discoveries could be forthcoming.
Anthropologists are currently examining the remains of the individuals found, with hopes that future analyses will provide more insights into the cemetery and those interred there.
There is some evidence that suggests the church was eventually abandoned. It appears the building materials were stripped and parts of the structure were destroyed during the Middle Ages.
The discovery is classified as exceptionally significant by officials, representing the oldest known Christian worship site in ancient Oderzo. This marks a period when Christianity was establishing itself as the predominant religion across the Roman Empire.
The archaeological find has been described as opening a new chapter in the history of ancient Opitergium, embracing the Late Roman and Early Medieval periods. Italy continues to produce notable archaeological discoveries, showcasing its rich Roman and early Christian heritage.
In recent months, Italy has seen a series of exciting finds. This summer, a hidden chamber beneath Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli was found, believed to be the oldest surviving structure of the estate once owned by the Roman emperor. Furthermore, earlier this year, construction crews unearthed the remains of an ancient sanctuary near Ponso during highway construction.