JERUSALEM, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Israeli archaeologists have uncovered a rare 1,600-year-old mosaic inscription bearing the words "peace be upon the elderly" in Greek, the University of Haifa said in a statement on Monday.

The inscription was found in the ancient city of Hippos, also known as Sussita, overlooking the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. It appeared on a colorful medallion set into a mosaic floor at the entrance of a large public building.

Researchers said the find offers rare physical evidence that organized care for the elderly existed in Byzantine society centuries before it became a formal modern concept.

Hippos was a significant Christian center during the Byzantine period, serving as a bishop's seat and home to several churches. The mosaic was uncovered near the main square and central streets, within a residential block.

Images surrounding the inscription -- including Egyptian geese, cypress trees, fruit, and tools -- suggest the building had both spiritual and social functions, the archaeologists said.

Greetings directed specifically at the elderly are unusual in ancient inscriptions, they added, pointing to an institution that provided respect and possibly services for older residents. While ancient texts mention care for the elderly, most of the evidence is literary; this discovery offers direct and dated proof of a community-supported facility.

The researchers concluded the mosaic sheds new light on Byzantine society, showing that alongside churches and civic buildings, cities also built places dedicated to social care. ■