(JEWISH GROUP) 1,500-year-old synagogue uncovered in Golan Heights nature reserve
Researchers excavating in the Yehudiya Forest Nature Reserve in the Golan Heights have uncovered a 1,500-year-old synagogue, whose whereabouts had remained a mystery for decades.
This structure was unearthed after field teams spotted an unusually dense scatter of column drums and decorated stones along a path in an abandoned village inside the reserve.
The ongoing excavation is led by the Zinman Institute of Archaeology at Haifa University and the Land of Israel Studies department at the Kinneret Academic College, licensed by the Israel Antiquities Authority and funded by the United Israel Appeal and the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund.
On-site support is being lent by the nature reserve’s manager, Nael Daabous, and his staff as well.
Over 1,500 years ago, during the Roman and Byzantine eras, a Jewish community had worshiped in the building.
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