Synagogue from Roman Empire unearthed in town of Magdala

Photo: Michael Osband

 

The excavations were led under Osband's direction, and were conducted as part of his doctoral studies. His advisor, Professor David. Adan-Bayewitz, who is the head of Bar Ilan's institute of Archaeology, described the discovery as "historic."

 

"So far, we have not found another use that could have been made of the structure besides a synagogue," said Osband. "The structure joins a very limited list of rural synagogues dated to the Roman period that have been uncovered so far."

 

The excavation findings indicate that the ancient town of Magdala, in which the synagogue structure is located, had been in use during the Roman period until the middle of the fourth century at the latest, and did not continue into the Byzantine period.

 

"The issue of the nature of synagogues from the Roman period has occupied researchers and archeologists for many years," Osband noted.

 

The continued excavations at Magdala are expected to shed light, among other things, on the exact years during which the synagogue had been in use.

 
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