Archaeologists have actually revealed a total plaster cross dating to 1,400 years back throughout an excavation in the United Arab Emirates. The Christian sign lastly shows that a series of homes found years ago belonged to an abbey.

“This is a very exciting time for us,” Maria Gajewskaan archaeologist at the Department of Culture and Tourism– Abu Dhabi, stated in a video “We never had concrete proof [the houses] were inhabited by Christians.”

9 little yard homes were excavated in 1992 on Sir Bani Yasan island 110 miles(170 kilometers)southwest of Abu Dhabi. Close by, archaeologists discovered a church and abbey dating to the seventh and 8th centuries A.D. It was uncertain whether the homes were related to the monastic settlement.This year, archaeologists went back to Sir Bani Yas for additional excavation. In the yard of one home, they discovered a stucco plaque in the shape of a Christian cross determining almost 1 foot (30 centimeters) long.

With that cross, “we have now proved these houses were part of a Christian settlement,” Gajewska stated. Senior monks most likely resided in your homes, separating themselves and hoping, before reconvening at the abbey with their brethren, she stated.

Related: 1,800-year-old silver amulet might reword history of Christianity in the early Roman Empire

Sir Bani Yas was simply one place of Christian praise in the area throughout this time duration, according to a equated declaration from the Abu Dhabi Media Office. Christianity spread out around the Arabian Gulf in between the 4th and 6th centuries before the increase of Islam beginning in the seventh century. Muslims and Christians survived on Sir Bani Yas up until the abbey was deserted in the 8th century.