Dr. Mordechai Aviam from the Institute of Galilean Archeology at the Kinneret Academic College, students from the Department of AI Studies from the Kinneret Academic College and other partners in the expedition who came from the USA, found the remains of an unknown Jewish village and synagogue near Tzipori
An Israeli-American archaeological delegation, led by Dr. Mordechai Aviam from the Institute of Galilean Archeology at the Kinneret Academic College, Dr. James Strange from the University of Samford, Alabama, Dr. David Pines Lee from the Kentucky Christian University, students from the Department of Land of Israel Studies at the Academic College Kinneret and students and volunteers from the USA, revealed last week the remains of the ancient Jewish village of Shichin, located on the northern edge of the Tzipori National Park in the Galilee.
The village of Shihin is mentioned by the Jewish historian Yosef ben Matthew as one of the first Jewish settlements in the Galilee during the Second Temple period and later, in the Talmud, as a village of Jewish potters near Zipori. The excavations revealed the first evidence of the existence of a magnificent synagogue on the site, as well as many finds that confirm the conclusions of previous researchers about the extensive production of pottery of various types in this village.
Dr. Aviam from the Institute of Galilean Archeology at Kinneret College says: "We, the diggers, had a great surprise with the discovery of seven stone molds for making decorated clay oil candles. One of the candle fragments that were made on the site is decorated with a lamp and candles next to it. According to the find of the pottery, it seems that the settlement was abandoned in the fourth century AD, probably following the earthquake of 363, or perhaps as a result of the Gallus rebellion that took place in 351 and was centered in Tzipori. The excavation will continue in the coming years and will try to uncover the synagogue, the production facilities and the residences."
This news is based on a press release of the Kinneret Adamic College
One response
The discovery sheds light on the Gemara in tractate Erubin, page Na, XNUMX: "R. Yehuda made a story about the people of Beit Mamel and the people of Beit Gurion in Rome, who used to distribute grain and raisins to the poor in two droughts and in the poor to the poor of Kfar Shihin and the poor of Kfar Hananiah and darkened them on the territory the next day from the right and the wrong."