Archaeologists found the ancient agricultural property in Zur Natan in Israel. A inscription dating back to the fifth century was found inside a wine press,The blessing reads 'Only God help the beautiful property of Master Adios, amen'. They also discovered stone quarries with deep depressions for cultivating grapevines
A wealthy Samaritan had a vineyard on his estate 1,600 years ago, which has just been discovered in central Israel.
Archaeologists found the ancient agricultural property in Zur Natan which belonged to an individual called Adios, a member of the Samaritan religious group.
A Greek inscription of a blessing dating back to the fifth century was found in a wine press which reads 'Only God help the beautiful property of Master Adios, amen'.
Dr Hagit Torge, who led the excavation for the Israel Antiquities Authority, said: 'This is only the second such winepress discovered in Israel with a blessing inscription associated with the Samaritans.'
The Samaritans are an ethnoreligious group claiming theirs is the true religion of the ancient Israelites from before the Babylonian captivity.
The Greek writings were translated by Professor Leah Di Segni of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She explained that the Samaritan community was at the height of its power and prosperity in the region
Near the wine press, the team also discovered stone quarries with deep depressions for cultivating grapevines.
'Master' was an honorific given to senior members of the community and attests to the high social standing of the owners of the estate,' said Dr Torge.
'The location of the winepress is near the top of Tel Zur Natan, where remains of a Samaritan synagogue were found with another inscription, and reveals Adios' high status.'
Experts note that the area’s Samaritan population shrunk after sixth-century revolts against Byzantine rule.
A Samaritan community still lives at Mount Gerizim, as well as in the city of Holon, south of Tel Aviv.