Recent excavations in Rahat, Israel, have unearthed ancient ship drawings within a Byzantine-era church, revealing Christian pilgrimage practices 1,500 years ago.

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) told Christianity Today: "These intriguing drawings may have been left by Christian pilgrims arriving by ship to the Gaza port – their first inland stop was this Rahat church; continuing from here on to other sites throughout the country."

Among these discoveries was a detailed drawing of a two-masted ship. The IAA noted: "Since the drawing was found upside-down, it seems the person placing the stone during construction was either unaware it bore a drawing, or did not care."

The IAA has so far dedicated several years to this site's excavation.

The findings reportedly narrate the story of settlement transitions from the Byzantine to the early Islamic period and how pilgrims left their mark on this sacred space.

Situated near an ancient Roman road connecting Gaza to Beer Sheva, the IAA said that "it is reasonable that their first stop after alighting from the ships in Gaza port was this very church revealed in our excavations south of Rahat".

This location served as a gateway for pilgrims on their journey to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and other holy sites.

IAA director Eli Escusido reflected on the significance of these findings with the news outlet: "This surprising and intriguing find of ship drawings in a Northern Negev byzantine-period church opens a window for us to the world of Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land 1,500 years ago."

The public will soon have an opportunity to view these artefacts at an exhibition starting 4th June at Rahat Municipal Cultural Hall.