Guide
Archaeology of the Ancient Synagogue
4th Century BCE–6th Century CE
Restricted
By Carol Bakhos
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The Masada Synagogue
The first stage of the synagogue at Masada was constructed under Herod, likely around 10 BCE. It was a simple room that did not contain a bimah (reading platform) and was not oriented toward Jerusalem…
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The Gamala Synagogue Complex
The earliest archaeological remains of identifiable synagogue buildings date to the early Roman period and come from the land of Israel. The synagogue at Gamala is one of only a handful of synagogues…
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The Magdala Synagogue
The assembly hall of the synagogue in Magdala, by the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, was accessed through a long, narrow vestibule, which may have served as a study or storage room. The center…
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Magdala Synagogue Table
This limestone “table” was found in the central area of the hall of the Magdala synagogue. The table measures approximately 24 × 20 × 16 inches (60 × 50 × 40 cm) and stands on four short legs. The…
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The Ostia Synagogue
Jews living in the diaspora experienced disconnection from the Temple even before 70 CE. Thus, synagogues outside the land of Israel developed earlier and drew from different traditions: almost all…
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The Sardis Synagogue
Like their counterparts in the land of Israel, diaspora synagogues were lavishly decorated. The synagogue at Sardis, Turkey, which could fit almost a thousand people, was formerly a gymnasium and…