Archaeological Dig in Galilee Uncovers Mosaics

A team of specialists and students led by Jodi Magness, Kenan Distinguished Professor of religious studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, has uncovered a spectacular mosaic panel in the late Roman (ca. 400 C.E.) synagogue at Huqoq, an ancient Jewish village in Israel’s Lower Galilee.

The mosaic consists of a large panel in the center, which is an enigmatic Hebrew inscription framed within a wreath. To the sides and below the wreath, an Aramaic inscription lists the names either of the donors who provided funding for the synagogue’s mosaics or the artists who made them, asking that they be remembered for good. The wreath is flanked on either side by lions resting their forepaws on bulls’ heads. The entire panel is surrounded by a decorated border showing animals of prey pursuing other animals.

This summer’s excavations also exposed additional sections of mosaic panels that were discovered in 2012 and 2013, which depict the episodes of Samson and the foxes as mentioned in Judges 15:4 and Samson carrying the gate of Gaza on his shoulders referenced in Judges 16:3.

The sweeping archaeological project at Huqoq has left an extraordinary legacy of many historically significant finds.

Financial support for the 2023 season was also provided by the Kenan Charitable Trust, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Read more about the discoveries…

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