Excavations Show High Level of Jewish Culture in Post-roman Palestine

The Jewish people’s continued residence in Palestine during the centuries after the final overthrow of Jerusalem by the Romans and the high level of culture they maintained have been strikingly revealed by recent major archaeological discoveries by the Palestine Jewish Exploration Society in its “dig” at Sheikh Abreik.

Extensive remains of a large and prosperous Jewish city of the second and third centuries of the Christian era have been unearthed. The discoveries are seen here as proof of the existence of an important Jewish population in Palestine during a period after the “dispersion” of the Jews by the Romans, when they are popularly regarded as having been swept out of Palestine. The period in question is the “Talmud era,” when the great compilation of Jewish religious, legal and folk lore writings was coming into being.

Discovery of a great and sumptuously built and ornamented synagogue, announced on Dec. 25, was the most striking achievement of the season’s digging, which has now ended. It was accompanied by important finds in other ancient ruined buildings and a cemetery nearby, it is revealed by the seasonal report by Dr. Benjamin Meisler, director of the investigation.

An especially important discovery was a mausoleum near Jewish graves of the third century, decorated on all four walls with charming artistry. The floor, of bevelled stones, is decorated with pictures of animals and plants. A large Greek inscription carved in marble was found in the graves, announcing in the form of an obituary poem the burial of one of the important inhabitants of the city of Beth Shearim in his family tomb. This inscription is described as additional proof that Sheikh Areik and Beth Shearim are the same place, the residence of Rabbi Yehuda Anasi and the Sanhedrin (supreme council of Jews).