For immediate use
New mosaics discovered in synagogue excavations in Galilee
A UNC-Chapel Hill archaeologist who leads the project says images in the mosaics — as well as their high level of artistic quality — have never been found in any other ancient synagogue
(Chapel Hill, N.C.—July 1, 2015) – This summer, excavations directed by UNC-Chapel Hill College of Arts and Sciences professor Jodi Magness revealed stunning new mosaics that decorated the floor of the Late Roman (fifth century) synagogue in the ancient Jewish village of Huqoq.
The Huqoq excavations, located in Israel’s Lower Galilee, are co-directed by Shua Kisilevitz of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Work has continued each summer since the 2012 excavation when the mosaics were first discovered at the site.
A mosaic discovered in the synagogue’s east aisle in 2013 and 2014 depicts three horizontal registers (strips) containing human and animal figures, including elephants. The top register, which is the largest, shows a meeting between two men, who perhaps are intended to represent Alexander the Great and a Jewish high priest according to Magness’s findings. It was the first time a non-biblical story had been found decorating any ancient synagogue.
During this summer’s dig, Magness and her colleagues uncovered additional portions of this mosaic, as well as the rest of a mosaic immediately adjacent to it, which is connected with a Hebrew dedicatory inscription that was uncovered in 2012.
New digging reveals that the inscription is in the center of a large square panel with human figures, animals and mythological creatures arranged symmetrically around it, Magness said. These include winged putti (cupids) holding roundels (circular discs) with theater masks, muscular male figures wearing trousers who support a garland, a rooster, and male and female faces in a wreath encircling the inscription. Putti and masks are associated with Dionysos (Bacchus), who was the Greco-Roman god of wine and theater performances, she said.
This summer’s excavations also brought to light columns inside the synagogue covered with plaster and painted ivy leaf designs.
“The images in these mosaics — as well as their high level of artistic quality — and the columns painted with vegetal motifs have never been found in any other ancient synagogue,” Magness said. “These are unique discoveries.”
In 2012, a mosaic showing Samson and the foxes, as related in the Bible’s Judges 15:4, was first discovered in the synagogue’s east aisle. The next summer, a second mosaic was found that shows Samson carrying the gate of Gaza on his shoulders, from Judges 16:3.
“It is not clear if there is a thematic connection between the Samson scenes and the other mosaics in the east aisle,” Magness added.
Sponsors are UNC-Chapel Hill, Brigham Young University in Utah, the University of Toronto in Canada and the University of Wyoming. Students and staff from UNC-Chapel Hill and the consortium schools participated in the dig. Financial support for the 2015 season was also provided by the National Geographic Society Expeditions Council and the National Geographic Society/Waitt Grants Program, and the Loeb Classical Library Foundation.
The mosaics have been removed from the site for conservation, and the excavated areas have been backfilled. Excavations are scheduled to continue in summer 2016.
-Carolina-
About the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is a global higher education leader known for innovative teaching, research and public service. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, Carolina regularly ranks as the best value for academic quality in U.S. public higher education. Now in its third century, the University offers 78 bachelor’s, 112 master’s, 68 doctorate and seven professional degree programs through 14 schools and the College of Arts and Sciences. Every day, faculty, staff and students shape their teaching, research and public service to meet North Carolina’s most pressing needs in all 100 counties. Carolina’s 304,000-plus alumni live in all 50 states and 150 countries, and more than 159,000 live in North Carolina.
Note: Magness can be reached at magness@email.unc.edu or by phone in Israel until July 10.
When dialing from outside Israel: 011-972-52-6611542; from within Israel: 052-6611542.
Photos, credit Jim Haberman:
- http://uncnews.unc.edu/files/2015/07/Theatermaskmosaicsummer2015byJimHaberman.jpg
-
http://uncnews.unc.edu/files/2015/07/Jodiandstudientssummer2015HuqoqbyJimHaberman.jpg
College of Arts and Sciences contact: Kim Spurr, (919) 962-4093, spurrk@email.unc.edu
Communications and Public Affairs Contact: Helen Buchanan, (919) 445-8555, helenb@unc.edu