Khirbat al-Minya was abandoned at an uncertain date , but was later temporarily resettled . There is evidence that the palace was in use until at least the end of the Umayyad period in 750 CE . A strong earthquake hit the region , probably in the 749 Galilee earthquake . This damaged the building , causing a rift to run through the eastern wing , going straight through the mosque 's mihrab . The damage in the niche were never repaired . It thus remains uncertain whether the palace was ever finished : Fallen debris from the earthquake was discovered in the 20th century in situ on the floor tiles of the main entry . The unused raw materials of a mosaic builder were found in the antechamber of the mosque
749 Galilee earthquake
749 Galilee earthquake
Khirbat al-Minya