Jerusalem ( CNN ) -- Archaeologists in Israel say they have discovered the remains of a home from the time of Jesus in the heart of Nazareth . The Israeli Antiquities Authority said the find `` sheds light on the way of life at the time of Jesus '' in the Jewish settlement of Nazareth , where Christians believe Jesus grew up . The find marks the first time researchers have uncovered the remains of a home in Nazareth from that time period , the Israeli Antiquities Authority said in a statement . `` The building that we found is small and modest and it is most likely typical of the dwellings in Nazareth in that period , '' Yardenna Alexandre , excavation director for the authority , said in the statement . `` Until now a number of tombs from the time of Jesus were found in Nazareth ; however , no settlement remains have been discovered that are attributed to this period . '' Christians believe that Mary , the mother of Jesus , lived in Nazareth with her husband , Joseph . They believe Mary was in Nazareth when the angel Gabriel revealed that Mary would give birth to the son of God , a baby to be named Jesus . A number of burial caves that date to the early Roman period also were discovered close to the inhabited area during the excavations , the authority said . The discovery was made in the modern city of Nazareth during an excavation in advance of construction of the International Marian Center of Nazareth , which will illustrate the life of Mary . An association in Nazareth plans to conserve and display the home 's remains in the center . It will be built next to the Church of the Annunciation , which stands on the spot where Catholics believe Mary once lived . The Church of the Annunciation is in the heart of Nazareth , above an older church and atop the ruins of a church from the Byzantine period . In the middle of these churches is a cave that was believed in antiquity to be the home of Jesus ' family . Researchers found storage pits and cisterns in the compound of the Church of the Annunciation , many of which date to the time of Jesus , Israeli archaeologists said . In the excavation , a large , broad wall that dates to the 15th century was exposed . It was constructed on top of and used the walls of an ancient building , the statement said . This earlier building -- the one that dates to the time of Jesus -- consisted of two rooms and a courtyard in which a rock-hewn cistern collected rainwater . Few artifacts were recovered from inside the building -- mostly fragments of pottery vessels from the first and second centuries . Also , researchers found several fragments of chalk vessels , which were used by Jews in this period because such vessels were not susceptible to becoming ritually unclean , researchers said . Another hewn pit , whose entrance was apparently camouflaged , was excavated and a few pottery fragments from the early Roman period were found inside it . `` Based on other excavations that I conducted in other villages in the region , this pit was probably hewn as part of the preparations by the Jews to protect themselves during the great revolt against the Romans in [ A.D. ] 67 , '' Alexandre said .
House is first dwelling found in Nazareth from Jesus ' era , archaeologists say . Discovery came during excavation for a new center honoring Mary . Home found near Church of the Annunciation , the spot where some believe Mary lived . Score: 6