Israeli archaeologists believe they have found the world’s oldest home for the elderly to date during excavations at the Hippos National Park near the Sea of Galilee, the University of Haifa announced on Monday.

The discovery made by researchers from the university focused on an ornate mosaic medallion dated to the late fourth or early fifth century bearing the Greek inscription “Peace be with the elders,” which was found close to one of the most impressive mosaics at the site, the researchers said.

“This is living proof that care and concern for the elderly are not just a modern idea, but were part of social institutions and concepts as far back as about 1,600 years ago,” said Dr. Michael Eisenberg of the University of Haifa’s Zinman Institute of Archaeology, who co-directed the excavation project.

In a study published in Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik, Eisenberg, together with fellow researchers Dr. Arleta Kowalewska and Prof. Gregor Staab from the........

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