Could archaeologists have finally found the lost city of Bethsaida?
On the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, excavations at El Araj are uncovering what researchers believe may be biblical Bethsaida—the hometown of Peter, Andrew and Philip.
Layer by layer, archaeologists have uncovered a first-century Jewish fishing village, stone vessels, coins, pottery and other evidence of Jewish life. Above it sits a Byzantine church with a remarkable mosaic inscription referring to the “chief of the apostles” and “keeper of the keys of heaven”—a title associated with Simon Peter.