A sixth-century synagogue has been discovered on Mount Carmel by the Palestine Government Department of Antiquities, according to an official Government announcement. It was only possible to uncover about two-thirds of the foundations of the building, the remainder being under modern houses. The slopes of Mount Carmel are being rapidly covered with modern buildings and houses, making the excavations considerably more difficult.
The main feature of the excavation was the discovery of a fragmentary mosaic pavement showing the Zodiacal signs, two seven-branched candlesticks surrounded by ritutal objects, and two Hebrew inscriptions.
The Government was assisted in its work by the Archaeological department of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Other recent discoveries on Mount Carmel, which was the traditional scene of the contest between Elijah and the Prophets of Baal, were ancient relics of Baal worship.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
