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Remains of 2,500-year-old Synagogue Discovered in Beisan Area

September 6, 1962
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An archaeological discovery in Israel, unearthed several months ago, thought at first to have been part of a Byzantine structure, has turned out to be the remains of a synagogue dating back to the fifth century of the Common Era, scientists here announced today.

Archeologists who had the floor of the old structure cleaned found beautiful mosaics, featuring a seven-branch menorah with all its lamps lighted. On one side of the menorah, a shofar had been engraved; on the other side a pan for the burning of incense was shown. The discovery was made when a bulldozer was excavating a site near Beisan for the erection of a textile mill.

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