Newly Excavated Synagogue Overlooking Sea of Galilee Bears "Unparalleled" Mosaic
Archaeologist believes the mosaic scene could be depicting the building of the Temple, or Noah's ark, or the tower of Babel.
(Galilee)—A report in ScienceDaily says that the remains of an ancient synagogue from the Roman-Byzantine era have been uncovered at the foot of the Mt. Nitai cliffs overlooking the Sea of Galilee. (Note: Mt. Nitai is considered by some to be the location of Nazareth.) The project is being conducted under the auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
According to the article, in the synagogue excavators found a mosaic which to date has no parallels. The mosaic depicts woodworkers near a "monumental structure which they are apparently building."
Lead archaeologist Dr. Uzi Leibner believes the scene could be depicting the building of the Temple, or Noah's ark, or the tower of Babel.
The article also states that archaeologists at the site "are also attempting, through their excavations, to gain a clearer picture of rural Jewish village life in Roman-era Galilee. In addition to excavating the synagogue, they also are involved in uncovering residential dwellings and other facilities at the site, such as a sophisticated olive oil press and solidly-built two-story homes."
