THE MADABA MOSAIC MAP
In the late 19th century clashes with the Muslim community led to a group of Christians from Kerak voluntarily moving to the long-uninhabited site of ancient Madaba. They were permitted to build new churches only on the sites of old ones. In 1884, while clearing such a site, the mosaic map was uncovered. It was incorporated into the new St George’s Church but was badly damaged in the process. It wasn’t until ten years later that scholars recognized the great historic value of the mosaic, which was probably made during the reign of the Emperor Justinian (AD 527–65).
In the 6th century, Jerusalem was still essentially the Roman city of Aelia Capitolina with its walls and gates, and the main streets of the Cardo Maximus and the Decumanus. Identifiable landmarks include Damascus Gate and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, as well as the long-vanished Nea Basilica and Damascus Gate column.
