Remains of an ancient synagogue from the Roman-Byzantine era have been revealed in excavations carried out in the Arbel National Park in the Galilee under the auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The excavations, in the Khirbet Wadi Hamam, were led by Dr. Uzi Leibner of the Hebrew University’s Institute of Archaeology and Scholion – Interdisciplinary Research Center in Jewish Studies.Dr. Leibner said that the synagogue’s design is a good example of the eastern Roman architectural tradition. A unique feature of the synagogue is thedesign of its mosaic floor, he said.The synagogue ruins are located at the foot of the Mt.
Nitai cliffs overlooking the Sea of Galilee, amidst the remains of a large Jewish village from the Roman-Byzantine period. The first season of excavations there have revealed the northern part of the synagogue, with two rows of benches along the walls. The building is constructed of basalt and chalk stone and made use of elements from an earlier structure on the site.
Archaeologists
differ among themselves as to which period the ancient Galilean
synagogues belong. The generally accepted view is that they can be
attributed to the later Roman period (second to fourth centuries C.E.),
a time of cultural and political flowering of the Jews of the Galilee.
Recently, some researchers have come to believe that these synagogues
were built mainly during theByzantine period (fifth and sixth
centuries C.E.), a time in which Christianity rose to power and, it was
thought, the Jews suffered from persecution. Dr. Leibner noted that
this difference of scholarly opinion has great significance in perhaps
redrawing the historical picture of Jews in those ancient times.
The excavators were
surprised to find in the eastern aisle of the synagogue a mosaic
decoration which to date has no parallels -- not in other synagogues,
nor in art in Israel in general from the Roman-Byzantine period. The
mosaic is made of tiny stones (four mm. in size) in a variety of
colors. The scene depicted is that of a series of woodworkers who are
holding various tools of their trade. Near these workers is seen a
monumental structure which they are apparently building. According to
Dr. Leibner, since Biblical scenes are commonly found in synagogue art,
it isposs......
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Archaeological finds at Bosnian Pyramid site
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4,000-year-old flowers found at grave site
Worlds oldest doodle found on rock
