A magnificent mid-sixth century mosaic floor, part of a basilica (16 x 13 m). The mosaic is well executed in a wide range of colors and small tesserae, partly made of marble. Unfortunately, the eastern part of the church and apse were completely destroyed during construction work at the beginning of this century. Most of the nave mosaic was destroyed aside from a small 0.9 m long horizontal strip at its entrance and a tabula ansata inscription at its center. This inscription includes an exact date, hence the mosaic is dated to 4th of August 576 C.E. The intercolumniations were paved with mosaics of which two scenes survived. The western intercolumniation holds another tabula ansata with a Greek inscription. The northern aisle mosaic has been completely preserved aside from its eastern end. The mosaics combine a highly naturalistic rendering in the Hellenistic tradition with Byzantine conventions.
The mosaic was paved during the rule of Justin II (565-578 C.E), It can be identified with the town of Orda on the Madaba mosaic map. The town of Orda is suggested to be in the vicinity of Tel Jemmeh, between Gaza and Beer Sheva. (B. Mazar, "Yurza", the identification of Tell Jemmeh," PEQ (1952), pp. 48-51).