Archaeologists have uncovered a mosaic in Israel that offers the earliest known evidence of a nursing home from the Byzantine period. The mosaic, located at the entrance of a public building, features iconography such as Egyptian river goddesses, cypress trees, fruits, and ritual vessels, suggesting a spiritual and social purpose. The inscription 'Peace to the elders' directly addresses the elderly, indicating a shift from family-based care to organized community support. Researchers believe this find marks the first directly dated example of a permanent institution dedicated to elder care in the region.