Gamla Synagogue
Ancient synagogue in Gamla, Golan Heights
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Gamla synagogue is an ancient former Jewish synagogue, located in the ancient Jewish city of Gamla on the western slope of the Golan Heights, approximately 18 km (11 mi) northeast of Lake Kinneret, in Israel. The synagogue was built between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE.
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| Gamla Synagogue | |
|---|---|
The surviving remains of the former synagogue | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism (former) |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | |
| Status | Ruins |
| Location | |
| Location | Gamla, Golan Heights |
| Country | Golan Heights |
  Location of the ancient former synagogue in the Golan Heights | |
| Coordinates | 32°54′10″N 35°44′26″E |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | c. 1st century BCE |
| Destroyed | 67 CE |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | Southeast[a] |
| Length | 25.5 m (84 ft) |
| Width | 17 m (56 ft) |
| Materials | Dressed stone |
| Gamla Synagogue | |
 Interactive map of Gamla Synagogue | |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1976–1978 |
| Archaeologists | Shmarya Guttman |
It is the oldest synagogue discovered to date.[2] It was found by archaeologist Shmarya Guttman in 1976.[3]
History
The synagogue was discovered during archaeological excavations from 1976 to 1978 in the eastern part of the city of Gamla. It adjoined the outer fortress wall.[1]
The synagogue was built of dressed stone[4] and had a rectangular plan of 25.5 by 17 m (84 by 56 ft). It is characterized by columned passages[4] and a surrounding Doric colonnade with heart-shaped corner columns. The entrance to the synagogue was through double doors located on the southwest side.[5]
There were four rows of stone benches along the walls. Pillars in the center of the hall supported the roof. This layout of the hall is typical of synagogues in Galilee.[6] In the courtyard, wide steps led down to the mikveh.[7] Although most synagogues were built with their doors facing Jerusalem, the Gamla synagogue had its door facing southeast, probably due to the difficult terrain.[8]
The synagogue was destroyed by the Romans (67 CE) and the site was not inhabited after that.[9]
The synagogue, which was in use until the destruction of the Second Temple (70 CE), is an important piece of historical debate about the earliest date of synagogue construction.[10] It was previously thought to have been built in the 1st century BCE.[11] It is the oldest synagogue in Israel.[clarification needed][12] Steven Fine believes that it was built after 40 BCE.[13] In 2012, Uri Zvi Maoz challenged these dates, believing that the synagogue was built around 50 CE. The mikvah, in his opinion, was made only in 67, and was a water cistern earlier. [14]
As part of the reconstruction, scientists created a three-dimensional model of the Gamla synagogue.[15][16]
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