Earliest Known Christian Church Discovered in Italy’s Oderzo

Archaeologists in Italy have made a significant discovery in Oderzo near a former fish market. The Archaeological Superintendency for the Metropolitan Area of Venice announced the unearthing of the earliest known Christian church in the region. This site features intricate polychrome mosaic floors and ancient human burials, providing a glimpse into early Christian history.

Located about 40 miles northeast of Venice, Oderzo was known as Opitergium during the Late Roman period. The unearthed church, dating back to the fourth and fifth centuries A.D., showcases a large rectangular structure. Measuring approximately 75 feet wide and 98 feet long, it includes a central aisle and two side aisles.

Construction began last November for a residential redevelopment project in the city’s historic center. Archaeologists found that the church’s construction employed wooden piles driven into alluvial soil for stability, a technique common in antiquity. The foundations are up to 4 feet thick, built from brick bonded with mortar.

“The foundations rest on wooden piles—a construction technique widely used in antiquity to improve stability,” said officials.

During the excavation, researchers discovered four burials containing the remains of seven individuals near the church. Anthropologists are examining these remains to provide more insights into the cemetery and those buried there.

The eastern section of the church remains unexcavated, indicating the complex may extend beyond current findings. Evidence suggests the church fell out of use, was stripped of materials, and partially destroyed during the Middle Ages.

This discovery marks the earliest known Christian worship site in Oderzo, dating to a time when Christianity gained prominence in the Roman Empire. Authorities describe the find as exceptionally significant, opening a new chapter in the history of ancient Opitergium.

Italy has seen numerous archaeological discoveries highlighting its rich Roman and Christian history. Notable finds include a hidden chamber beneath Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli and an ancient sanctuary near Ponso, uncovered by highway construction crews.