Communicated by the Antiquities Authority Spokesperson 18 May 1997 Damage To Byzantine Church Archeological Site Near Har Homa In the course of roadwork linking Har Homa to the Hebron Road, severe damage was caused to the Katisma Church archeological site. The damage was discovered during an inspection conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority, in which portions of a mosaic and ancient building blocks were found strewn about the area. The Antiquities Authority has lodged a complaint with the Israel Police and has demanded that the damage be repaired and the archeological site restored to its previous condition. The Antiquities Authority issued a "stop work" order immediately after the discovery of the damage. Moreover, the Authority has contacted the Greek Orthodox Patriarch, to whose church the site belongs, and has received his permission to engage in restoration work. The church is an archeological remnant dating to the 5th - 6th century CE and was discovered in 1991 during construction work on the Hebron Road. Upon the discovery of the archeological site, work on that portion of the road was halted and an alternate route was used so as not to disturb the site. The Antiquities Authority handed the site over to the Greek Orthodox Church upon completion of the excavation.