Archaeologists excavating at the ancient city of Limyra in southern Turkey recently uncovered the remains of an ancient synagogue, complete with a bath and menorah. Limyra was part of the Lycian League, a confederation of coastal cities considered one of the world’s first democracies* before being annexed as a province of the Roman Empire. This is the second synagogue discovered in Lycia; the first was discovered in Myra (modern Demre), an ancient city often remembered as the home of St. Nicholas.** Excavation director Martin Seyer believes that the discovery was part of a larger synagogue field, and it reflects a wide and rich Jewish population in Lycia.
Excavations near Finike (ancient Limyra) in southern Turkey uncovered a Lycian synagogue. AA photo
Notes
*For more on Lycian democracy, read the Bible History Daily news update “Restoration Completed on the World’s Oldest Major Parliament”
** For more on Myra, read Skurdenis, Julie. “Destinations: Myra, Turkey.” Archaeology Odyssey, Summer 1998, 68-71.
Excavations at Myra indicate that the early Christian city was remarkably preserved. Find out the latest excavation results in the Bible History Daily news update “Exposing St. Nicholas’ Christian Capital at Myra.”
Want to discover Lycia for yourself? Read about the Lycian Way, a popular hiking trail weaving through natural wonders and millennia of archaeological sites.
Permalink: http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/news/ancient-synagogue-discovered-in-southern-turkey/
Previous
I just want to second the previous comments about a combined subscription for print + digital/iPad. It may be new for BAR, it runs already for many, many newspapers. Add a combination subscription for this as an option in the subscription page, similar to various other combinations that can be done. I would be willing to pay a (small) fee for the combination, as all editorial and much of the graphic work has been done already!
I would be glad to subscribe to a Kindle app for BAR.
can I switch my paper subscription to digital
How about Android via the Google Play? I don’t do Apple products, but have Xoom and Android smart phones. Android is a bigger market share than Apple…..