Two policemen on routine patrol in Ashdod’s sand dunes last week uncovered an impressive 1,500-year-old marble pillar that was uncovered by recent rains.

Ashdod police officers Itai Dabush and Sagiv Ben Gigi were on their routine patrol at the beach when they ran across something jutting up from the ground north of the Ashdod-Yam Fortress. They called Shlomit Katan, a manager at the municipal hotline, and inspectors from the Israel Antiquities Authority were called in to inspect the object.

The pillar, which was found lying in the sand, measured about 1.6 meters and, amazingly, was found in one whole, unbroken piece. According to the IAA, the pillar is part of the remains of a large Byzantine church that was located in the area some 1,500 years ago. “Finding a complete pillar in this condition is a very rare find, especially on the beach where people are walking by every day,” Ashdod subdistrict archaeologist Avi Levy said. “It is not something you find every day.”

The pillar, which was found lying in the sand, measured about 1.6 meters and, amazingly, was found in one whole, unbroken piece, he said. “This find is very important because it gives us a rare peek through the window of that period, and the wholeness of the pillar is impressive,” he added. The marble from which the pillar was made is not from Israel, and it needs to be analyzed by IAA experts to pinpoint its origin, Levy said.

“The column appears to have been uncovered following recent rains in the area,” IAA Director-General Eli Escusido said. “Any such discovery adds another piece to understanding the cultural puzzle of Israel in ancient times.” He praised the vigilance of the police and the director of the municipal hotline.